Michael Atella

Mike (the Candy Man) was one my greatest basketball teammates in high school.
Tough left-handed guard.
Great friend up until his passing.
I think of him often.
Very special guy.
Loved his family, kids and friends unquestionably
Always will be missed..

Michael - Two years ago you left us for a better world, but MY world is not a better one since you are not in it. It seems I miss you more as each day goes by. You are always in my heart. I love you. Mom

Dad,

Reflecting as your two year anniversary approaches, I am amazed at how I've been able to make it through one day without you. I have relied on resilience, but there will always be a part of me that is broken without you here.

22 months, yet it seems like so much longer. I miss you in a way that nobody else can ever understand, because they were never your daughter.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=177957101281&ref=ts

Michael -

Another month has gone by without you. I miss you every day. I love you. Mom

All day today, Michael, my thoughts were of you. It was ten years ago today, May 22, 2000, that you flew from California, I flew from here, and we met in Oberammergau to see that spectacular Pageant, and to begin that wonderful trip we had together - to Venice, Rome, Assisi, Ostia, Pisa. I have many happy memories of that wonderful time with you. I miss you more every day.
Love from your Mother.

The twelfth came and went,but not your memory, which is with us every day.

Missing you

Dad, I don't need to tell you what I am thinking because you know.

Life isn't the same without you. I miss you SO much.

Love, Mom

.I miss you every day, Michael. Love you with all my heart.

Mom

Dad, I miss you right now so much.

Michael -

Another month without you. It's still hard for me to think that you're really not here. I miss you every day . Love, Mom

Dad,

I LOVE YOU. It's hard. And lonely.

Michael -

Another long month without you. Miss you, think of you every day, will love you forever. Mom

16 months today...sometimes I don't know how I've managed without you, and then I remember, you made us strong. I love you and miss you in ways few could ever understand.

DadSad right now....missing you.

Sometimes I feel so lost without you and our talks. All the time I miss you.

You have given me many gifts of beautiful butterfly things, the symbol of new life. I know you have moved from your earthly cocoon into your new heavenly life - like the butterfly - but I miss you every day. I love you, Michael. Mom.

You were missed yesterday more than most days. So happy I was with Tony, though.

Michael -

You were such a big and important part of our lives, and it's hard being without that part. There's a big void which never can be filled. You live in our hearts. We love you now and will love you forever.

Your daughter and your mother.

Uncle Mikie

I wish I could tell you all about the things I'm doing. My Dad picked me up in your car at the airport today, there were so many times your face/hug was the first thing I got when I landed in Chicago and I was always glad about it. I miss you. We all do.

I LOVE YOU

Stephanie

Since I will most likely be away from email on the 12th, I am thinking of you and wish this was all just a bad dream.

Sometimes I feel so alone without you.

These past two days have been difficult and the thing that makes it the hardest you have always been the person I go to first when I am having a hard time. It just doesn't seem possible that 13 months have passed. Missing you, Julie

Michael -

Another long month since you went away. It's hard being without you, but I try to remember you are happy where you are.

Love, Mom

Dad,

I miss you in a way that I cannot explain. What I would do to spend today with you. I have frequent dreams of us hanging out together....even just for one more day.

I have a clear vision of what Tony, you & I would be doing for your 60th today: where we would be, who would be there, stories I would ask you to share again.

Fortunately, we had so many of those times together when you were here. You were one special person and one incredible dad.

Love, Julie

Sixty years ago today at 3:09 p.m. you came into this world - and made me a MOTHER. It was such a wondrous, happy time for me and your Dad. You have been in my thoughts all day today. I love you. Mom

Missing you very much. Can't stop thinking about you today.

Mike,
You are definitely missed by a whole bunch of people including me.Your love for your family and all your friends will always be remembered.If you have some "pull" up there in heaven,the Cubbies still need help!!
Rick

Michael - I never really got to say good-bye to you. Now you've been gone a year, and I think of you every day. Unlike the way it's "supposed to be," I seem to miss you more as time goes by. You are always in my heart. I love you. Mom

When I think about a man
who has a deep and quite soul-
who works for what his family needs,
takes pleasure in his role…
When I think about a man
who’s had big challenges to face,
I think about my dad,
about his dignity and grace.
When I think about a man
who in his daily life reveals
so much strength and tenderness
and depth in what he feels…
When I think about a man
who always gives the best he can,
I think about my dad,
my lifelong hero,
A good man.
-Unknown

The start of the football season is just not the same without you to gab about it. It is surreal that 363 days have surpassed without hearing your voice, especially the times when you'd remind me how much you love me.

There are moments when I think it is getting easier, but I am always reminded by that feeling of shock and disbelief that I experience periodically...the one when it dawns on me that you are really gone and that you are not going to show up and surprise me at my house like you used to do. It's heartbreaking.

Missing you.

Miss you. So much.

Pops,
You are missed. No question about that. Got to spend a nice weekend with Olivia, Julie, Gran, and David in Chicago - Olivia and I slept in your room. Gran let her play with all of her animals, it was quite a treat. Julie was the tomato monster. David likes to sing MJ, and it was almost painful to hear, but damn funny. Gran, she rocks, she pushed her wheelchair around the zoo, sometimes with Olivia in it. I know that you know this, but you have raised Julie to be a incredibly strong, resilient, determined, compassionate woman (except when it comes to driving and traffic). In being her friend, I have learned so much about the meaning of true friendship, and she learned that from you. I am hoping to be able to pass that important life lesson upon to my girls - so thank-you for that.
Say hi to Gaytor and Thomas.

9/2....a year since I've seen you in person. It was such a great day. You were about to be released and the future seemed so bright and hopeful. I wish I would've stayed there with you. I miss you deeply.

Tomorrow will be a hard day for Tony without you. I know you will be with him in whichever way you can.

It is so hard sometimes to be here without you.

Michael - Eleven months is a long time without you. You are always in my thoughts. I love you. Mom

Please be there...in whatever way you can.

Michael, I think of you every day. I miss you every day. Love, Mom

I miss you so much Dad.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. You were the best father anyone could ever have. It is such a hard day to spend without you. I miss you so much. I love you.

9 months is easy only if I knew it wouldn't be forever.

It's been eight long months since you left us. I think of you every day, Michael. You are always in my heart, and will forever be there. I miss you so much. Love from your mother.

Today must be the best day you've had since you left. Now he will have lived with all three of you at different times.

Rocky is coming to see you today, as you must know. I am glad he has you to watch over him.

It doesn't seem to get any easier when I think about how much I miss you. Things just aren't the same without your wisdom, unconditional love and sense of humor. I hate that today is an anniversary of another month that has gone by.

Michael -
I think of you every day. I miss you.
Love, Mom

I know today is one of your favorite days of the year. Wish we could speculate together. I MISS YOU.

I feel for all of you. It's hard to lose such a special person. 7 months already. It underscores, once again, that faith alone in Christ alone, and pristine trust in the plan of God is the truest solace and comfort in the Devil's world.
You're in my prayers

Mike Newlin- Candy Man's friend and teammate

Today is harder than others without you.

I wish we could talk. I miss your voice. I am having one of those days where I just cannot believe you are gone. Love you.

I miss you, tremendously.

It is amazing the resiliency and strength you instilled in us. Six months later we are still here, surviving, even having moments of normalcy in the midst of this indescribable void. Thanks for leaving us one another.

Michael, you have been missing in my life for six months, but you are always in my heart Love from your mother.

Topol was amazing. We loved it. I hope you were there.

I need your wisdom and support more than I have since you've been gone. I have the toughest decision in front of me and I wish I could talk things through with you. I miss the strength you gave me and wonderful advice you always offered..

Michael - You've been gone for five months. I miss you. Love from your mother.

Today is 5 months. It seems so much longer, dad. I miss you in ways I cannot describe.

Usually you've called me a couple times today. It is hard to not hear your voice, especially today. I miss you.

Thought of you all day, more than most.

Michael, it's been four long months since you went to heaven. Now your father is getting ready to join you. I know you will welcome with open arms, and you will be together forever. I love you. Mom

dad...the playoffs aren't the same without you. missing you so much.

Mike, I hope you are at peace and I will always have fond memories of you and your kids....stephanie

Julie and Tony
I was so sad to hear of your father's passing. Your dad had the most infectious laugh of anyone which made him so easy to be near. My regret is that after your move to Danville we didn't try harder to stay in touch with one another.
Your dad had a way of making people happy and I feel fortunate that we were friends.

Today would be a great talk day. I miss those with you.

I didn't know Michael well - we only spoke on the phone once. Despite being unrelated, we have the exact same name, including our middle name. I am terribly saddened by the passing of someone who is obviously so blessed with friends and family who care so much for him. I can only hope to leave as much.

It's been 3 months since you left us - and our lives will never be the same. Michael, I miss you.

Three months today. If I put that in hours of conversations I've missed having with you, we would be in the 100 range. I am still trying to figure out how this has changed me, but one thing that hasn't change is the love and respect that I have for you. I miss you more than ever.

Mikeee:
Had an awesome dream with you in it the other night. I miss your humor and phone calls, big brother. Mom and dad are hanging in there but you have left a void in all our lives.
Peace out.

Paul

Dad, I miss you so much.

Uncle Mikie, not a day goes by that I don't think of you. You called me in my dream a few weeks ago, I hung up too quickly. Call back soon. I love you.

It is now 63 days since I found you - gone from us - but now in God's kingdom. I miss you, Michael.

Dad, History is being made one way or the other. I wish we could discuss. XO

I miss you again today.

October 11, 2008. My dad's birthday. It was a beautiful day, with weather my dad loved (cool, clear and a slight breeze). We were at Osage on the bleachers. At noon, some of his closest friends and some of his family gathered to share their memories of my dad. Around 1pm we headed over to El Nido and had a great time with many people who stopped by to celebrate his life. Thanks to everyone who came.

I miss him dearly and wish he was here with me right now.

Tony & Julie,

I wish I could be there for Big Mike’s memorial. Know that I send my warmest thoughts and sincerest condolences. He was special friend, as is obvious by all the comments registered by so many who knew him. May you both be comforted on a day when we should all celebrate his many, many triumphs.

Warmest regards,

Former St. Francis High basketball teammate and friend

He will be greatly missed by all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Mark and Christie

Dear Tony and Julie,
I was so sad to hear of your great loss. I still have very fond memories of your dad from my childhood. Please know that I wish I could be there for his memorial. My thoughts of love and comfort, and my prayers go out to you. "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort your tomorrow" God Bless

Dear Atella Family, I was saddened and shocked to hear about Mike and his sudden passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Mike for a number of years. He was truly someone who enjoyed each day to the fullest. I know how important his children were to him and his devotion to each of them. He will be missed by all.

I was Mike's favorite disc jockey for several years during the 1990's. He was a regular guest on the air on my all night oldies show on KFRC as the character "Mr. Excitement". I did not know he had passed away, can someone please email me and tell me what happened? . I really liked Mike. He never failed to make me laugh, and he will be missed. I still heard from him several times per year and I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a huge loss to us all.

Hank, Edna and the entire Atella Family,

We just heard the sad news concerning your son, Mike.
Our deepest condolensces to the entire family.
We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Love,
The Anthony Plescia Family

Dear Tony and Julie,
we were surprised and saddened to learn of your father's passing. He was a wonderful man who gave selflessly to you and all the young people he loved and enjoyed so much. He was single-handedly responsible for involving our whole family in the Danville Little league to a depth we would never have done without him. His wit, humor and patience made the experinece most memorable...he made the league a lot of money promoting the Snack Shack and Judith's homemade goodies. We will miss him.
THE MANOOGIAN FAMILY

To the Atella Family,
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. I had known Mike since Freshman year in high school. He was one of the most caring and gentle man that I had ever known. He always was interested in what was happening in everyone's llives and had a most spectacular sense of humor. Although I never met Julie or Tony he beamed with pride when he talked about his beloved children. I was blessed to know him and to have him as a friend. Fondly, Christine Melone

My deepest Sympathy to the Atella Family. I have known Mike since grade school and we recently connected again after the passing of a former St. Mary's classmate. It was a great experience, we picked up like we never left the playground... Mike was a special individual.

Ted Walters and family share the loss of Mike who has been a friend for approximately 25 years, meeting at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose, CA. Marianne & I took a cruise on Lake Mi. and Superior several years ago. We traveled a day early from California to meet Mike. He drove us all over Chicago and was so glad that we made the visit. We were able to meet his parents at their home and were made to feel just like home. Mike met us for dinner that night when my own mother and brother and his wife all joined up for the cruise. Mike was so generous with his time. He will never be forgotten. I will miss Mike's emails. To Julie & Tony our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your father loved you so much. Please give our best to your mother. She is remembered by all here in So. Cal.

Dear Atella Family,

Your father was a wonderful coach of mine and became an even better friend as I grew up. He taught me not only how to be a great ballplayer, but also how to be a great person. The lessons that I learned from him were simply a reflection of his kindness, compassion, and love. I will miss him.

With Deep Sympathy,
Scott Mangum