Michael G. Gulino Sr.

Michael G. Gulino, Sr., 79, of Benton Harbor, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2006 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Coloma American Legion Post 362, VFW Post 1137 of Benton Harbor and VFW Post 6803 of Watervliet, following the Mass. Cremation will follow. Friends may call from 4-7 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 P.M. Sunday. Memorials may be made to South Haven Area Hospice or American Legion Post 105 of Benton Harbor. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Gulino was born October 15, 1927 in Chicago to Samuel & Marie (Diehl) Gulino. He served his country during WWII in the US Army stationed in the Philippines. On July 1, 1950, he married the former Isabel Bongiorno in Benton Harbor. Mike was employed by Signal Delivery, transporting for Whirlpool Corporation, and later worked as a supervisor at Michigan Fruit Canners, retiring after 10 years of employment. Mike was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting & fishing and sports. He was a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns semi-pro baseball team under the management of Roger Hornsby, and was active in the Hagar Township Little League while his son and grandson were players, and was an avid Cubs & Bears fan. Mike was a member of SS John & Bernard Parish where he was a 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, formerly serving as Grand Knight. He was a member of American Legion Post 105 in Benton Harbor, and VFW Post 206. In his spare time, he enjoyed making wine. Mike is survived by his wife Isabel; his daughter Diane Norton of Benton Harbor; his son Michael G. (Debra) Gulino, Jr. of St. Joseph; six grandchildren-Donald (Lani) Norton, Jr., James Norton, Amber (Bryan) Glendening, Derek Morgan, Shannon Gulino, & Michael Gulino, III; two great-grandchildren-Katelyn & Allison Glendening; two sisters-Rose (Dean) Prince of Joliet, IL, Kitty (Danny) Wrzek of Joliet, IL; his brother Sam (Liz) Gulino of Harwood Heights, IL and numerous nieces & nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Donald "Jerry" Norton in 2005, his brother Leonard Gulino, and two sisters- Marianne Reimer & Margie Plaia.