Michael Angelo Tomaselli

Mike Tomaselli passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, ending his painful battle with bone cancer. He is survived by his devoted wife Linda, and his beloved sons Michael (San Jose, CA), and Robert (Modesto, CA), grandson David (Boise, ID), granddaughter Deanna (Denver, CO), and sister Dolores Capp (Brentwood, CA). Mike was also the loving uncle to his nephews and nieces and great uncle to their many children.

Mike was born in Hackensack, NJ, and became a Californian at the age of 8 when his family moved to Almaden, CA. He attended Camden High School in San Jose and San Jose City College. In H.S. and College his love of sports manifested itself as he played and lettered in football, rugby, and wrestling. In his young adulthood his interests led him to the joy and frustrations of racehorse ownership, and he would often be seen at the Ferndale, Del Mar, Bay Meadows, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields tracks as well as those on the State Fair Circuit as he monitored his investments. Following the heat of the racetracks, he found that the coolness of an indoor activity such as poker was far more refreshing and his growing prowess at the tables found him competing in the World Series of Poker. Although the WSOP Main Event's Final Table was not in the cards for him, his expertise at that game and the game of life found him winning more than tournaments.

Perhaps it was Mike's need to always make things a bit better than when he found them, such as coaching Little League teams, that led his career path into owning a furniture repair company and a carpet/tile cleaning business. But those who knew him well knew that when they needed his wise counsel, he gifted it in a way that was nonjudgemental and could touch and help them be "a bit better". So, it is no surprise that throughout his life Mike easily won friends, admirers and the everlasting love of his family and friends. His "handles" were many: Dad, Grandpa/Papa, Uncle Mike, Sweetheart, Godfather, Goombah, Paisano, Big Guy, Mikey, and sometimes even "Tommy Lasorda" due to his uncanny resemblance to the sports icon. No matter the name by which he was called, Mike was loved and admired by all who were blessed to have known him. And his heart of gold shined through in the instant smile that graced his countenance whenever in the presence of friends and family.

The Celebration of Mike Tomaselli's Life will be held on August 17, 2025, at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Road, Discovery Bay, CA.