Michael Joseph Caselli

Michael Joseph Caselli, 66, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on June 26, 2025, after a hard-fought, seven-year battle against a recurrent brain tumor.

A lifelong resident of Sacramento, Mike was born at Mercy General Hospital on September 20,1958 to George and Annetta (Doherty) Caselli. Mike grew up in River Park, along with his two older brothers, John and Jim. All three boys attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Christian Brothers High School.

Mike graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication studies at Sacramento State University where he met his one true love: Nancy Donaldson. They were married on September 8,1984 at Queen of All Saints Church in Concord, California. The pair quickly moved into their Land Park family home and began having children of their own.

Mike diligently maintained an over 40-year career in banking with various roles, most recently as vice president, Certified Treasury Professional, where he always made a particular effort to kindly serve his clients and coworkers as individual people rather than numbers on a spreadsheet.

Mike also served the community on many boards across Sacramento, including Sacramento Professional Advisors Network; Sacramento Next Move Homeless Services; The Greater Broadway Partnership; Northern Sierra Summer Home Association; and The Christian Brothers Alumni Association. He was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Parish. Mike truly lived a life of service to others.

Taking after his piano-playing father, Mike fed his soul with a lifelong passion for playing music. He played as a keyboardist in countless rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and R&B bands, almost always paired with his brother Jim on drums.

Mike loved music for one pure and beautiful reason: “To bring joy to others.” He made it his life’s mission to uplift the hearts and minds of those around him through the power of song wherever and whenever possible.

There was nothing more precious in life to Mike than his family. Stephen, Bryan and Lisa could not have asked for a better father. He was the kind of dad who would work–running errands or doing chores around the house– from sunrise to sunset on Saturday and still have the energy to lay between his children’s beds to thoughtfully discuss the themes and morals of whichever Wonder Years episode they had watched that evening.

Mike was the kind of dad who would haul his countless pounds of audio equipment to any school performance, sporting event, or holiday celebration, so that the sound quality rivaled any major music event. He was the kind of dad who would welcome anyone from anywhere into his home and treat them with the same genuine kindness and curiosity as if they were his own.

Mike is survived by his wife Nancy and his three children, Stephen, Bryan and Lisa. As a father-in-law, Mike is survived by Ashley, Madison and Austin. He is also survived by his brother Jim and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. As a loving “Papa,” Mike is survived by his grandchildren: Claire(6), Owen(3), Peggy(2) and his soon-to-be-born, newest grandchild: baby Michael.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Annetta Caselli, father George Caselli and his brother John Caselli.

A funeral Mass will be held for Mike at Holy Spirit Church on Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Brothers High School in Mike’s memory. The following link can be used to facilitate a donation: https://bit.ly/MikeCaselli.