Michael R. Venneri Sr.

Michael R. Venneri Sr. was born in Spokane, Wash., to Donald R. and Sandra F. (Wakeley) Venneri, and died Sunday, April 6, 2014, of a sudden heart attack. He left this world too early.Michael's father was in the Coast Guard and they traveled and lived in many places in Washington, Oregon and California until he was 18.When Michael was 17 his father retired from the Coast Guard and the family moved to Oregon City. He graduated from Oregon City High School in 1977 and attended Clackamas Community College.He played all sports with baseball being a huge passion that continued throughout his life. He played year round in California and in college as a left-handed pitcher. Michael continued his passion by coaching the Hillsboro HBBA and HS fall ball. He was a member of the MIRAW (Mini Indy Association of Washington). Golf was another passion of Michael's. He initiated a league with his co-workers with whom he enjoyed a mutual camaraderie.An auto mechanic for 20 years, Michael went back to school and completed his degree in Technical Engineering and became a drafter at Cornell Pumps.Michael met his future wife and love of his life, Cheryl Ann (Monckton) Venneri, June 16, 1983, on a blind date. They married March 21, 1987, in Reno, Nev., and were proud to say that their son Michael R. Venneri Jr. was born 1 year, 1 month and 1 day later in 1988. Six and one-half years later Makensy R. Venneri was born and completed their family. The family has resided in Hillsboro since Makensy was born in 1994. Michael has been our beloved husband, father, brother, son, uncle, coach and friend, and has been deeply loved, and will be deeply missed. Preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Maude Wakeley and Mike and Margaret "Peggy" Venneri all of Spokane; and mother, Sandra F. Venneri of Washington and Oregon, his survivors include his wife, Cheryl; son, Mikey; daughter, Makensy; father, Don of Gladstone; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dawn (Venneri) and Tom Ekerson of Sherwood and Lisa (Venneri) and Mike Genskay of Oregon City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Tina Monckton and Darren and Enola (Monckton) Smith; sister-in-law, Jewel Monckton and her companion Gary Robak; aunts; uncles; and many, many, many nieces, nephews and loving friends.A viewing will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, followed by a service at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Donelson Funeral Chapel /Fir Lawn Memorial Park, 1070 West Main St., Hillsboro, OR. 97123. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Darren and Enola Smith's home. The address will be given at the service.