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Michael Totaro Obituary
Michael D. "Fella" Totaro, 79, of Akron, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 21, 2006.
Mike grew up in North Hill, graduated from North High School, and was a member of the state championship track team. He worked alongside his father at Totaro and Son Cash Market before serving as a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army. He worked as a machinist at Goodyear Aerospace and retired after 38 years. He proudly served as recording secretary of UAW, Local 856, for over 30 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Martha Church, a member of Knights of Columbus 3529, and St. Vincent DePaul Society.
The great loves of his life were his wife, his 12 children, Notre Dame, golfing with his buddies on Thursdays, and his Italian heritage--especially the Tuesday night spaghetti dinners at the Carovillese Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Mary; brother, Gus; and grandson, Josiah Steven Totaro. He leaves behind, to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 56 years, Pat; his children, Bill (Kathy) Totaro of Pennsylvania, Barb Totaro (Deb Royer) of Virginia, Sue (Randy) Bonds of Alabama, Steve (Laurie) Totaro of Canal Fulton, Pat McQuaide (Norm Custer) of Barberton, Diane (Dennis) Bueker of Florida, Deb (Dave) Christy of Akron, John (Regina) Totaro of Florida, Mary (Terry) Shaffer of Rootstown, Kitty (Mike) Knaus of Alabama, Carolyn (Joel) Treybig of Tennessee, Dominic Totaro (Teresa Johnston) of Georgia; 21 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank-you to Dr. Michael Bage and the loving care from the nurses at City Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Saint Martha Catholic Church, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. TODAY at HENNESSY Funeral Home (two streets north of St. Thomas Hospital), 552 N. Main St., Akron, where the Knights of Columbus 3529 will have a prayer service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Martha. (HENNESSY, Family Owned, 330-376-3032.)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Totaro
Helen Hennessy Rowland
July 11, 2006
Dear Totaro Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most sorrowful time.
Terry & Anne Carmedy
June 28, 2006
Our deepest sympathy to the Totaro Family we truely know the loss of a parent is a difficult time. Know our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Kelly Evans (Nelson)
June 27, 2006
Uncle Mike,
You are always in my thoughts and I know I speak for the rest of the Nelson clan and our children that you will never be forgotten.You watched us grow and supported and celebrated with us every step along the way. We love you. Aunt Pat and all our cousins we are here for you always.We love you all.
Nadine DeSimone (Chitwood)
June 27, 2006
My sincere sympathy goes out to the entire Totaro Family. Mr. and Mrs. Totaro are iconic in my eyes, raising such a large wonderful and loving family and always giving of their time to their church community. May peace be with you all at this time.
Sherri, Steve & Hanna Watson
June 27, 2006
Knaus and Totaro Family,
No words can really help to ease the loss you have to bear, but please remember that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please be safe and take care of each other on your return home.
Christine Ferber
June 26, 2006
Dear Totaro Family, was so sad to hear of your loss. I have the fondest memories of your dad while visiting your house all through high school. He truly was one of the good guys and always made me feel welcome which meant so much to me at that time in my life. And yes, I even survived one of the family camping trips! My heart goes out to each and every one of you but especially to my best buddy from North High, Mary.
Yours truly, with love and respect, Chris Krispie-Ferber
Kim Hood
June 26, 2006
Kitty,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Kim and David
Jo Jandrlich
June 26, 2006
Kitty, Mike, Leigh, Jenna, Evan and Brian,
We are so sorry for your family's loss. We have you in our prayers.
All our love,
Mark, Jo, Stevie and Mark, Jr.
Jim & Linda Bye (Zeno)
June 25, 2006
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I have many wonderful memories of times spent with your family which, of course, always included much laughter. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sue Knapp-Spangler
June 25, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. I remember watching MR. & MRS taking there walks past our house to go to the club and walking back always holding hands. What wonderful memories you can cherish forever.
SAM & CHRIS MAYO (FALKENSTEIN FAMILY)
June 24, 2006
DEAR TOTARO FAMILY,
MY FAMILY AND I ARE SO SORRY TO HERE OF MR.TOTARO'S PASSING. IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE SEEN YOU ALL AT THE CARAVILLES CLUB FOR SPAGETTI. WHEN I GO AGAIN I WILL THINK OF MR.TOTARO AND HOW MUCH HE LOVED IT THERE. WE ALSO HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF ST.MARTHA AND THE CLIFTON AVE. NEIGHBORHOOD WITH YOU ALL. PLEASE KNOW ARE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. GOD BLESS!
Vicky Gray
June 24, 2006
Dear Totaro Family, It was with great pleasure that I was able to care for Michael at Summa Health systems. He was so fortunate to be surrounded by such a loving and devoted family. It was quite evident by all of you how special he was and how deeply he will be missed. May your warm memories help you through the difficult days ahead....Sincerely, Vicky Gray, RN, Summa Health Systems
John Nelson
June 24, 2006
Thinking about my Uncle Mike;
I’ll always remember the Uncle Mike of my childhood and all the great times we had when the Totaro and Nelson families got together. Those days will always rank at the top when I think of the highlights of my youth.
I’ll always remember my Uncle Mike during the tough times. When my Dad died you were always there for my Mom with your support and a helping hand in some of the tough decisions she had to make. I lost my Dad at a young age, and weather you realized it or not, you provided me with numerous examples of what a father should be.
I’ll always remember the Uncle Mike of my adult life. Always the friendly smile, I always got a kick out of listening to the many stories of your life. Although I heard many of them over and over again, you had a way of telling them that made them more interesting every time. I wish I could hear them all over again.
To my God Mother Aunt Pat, and my cousins Bill, Barb, Sue, Steve, Pat, Diane, Deb, John, Mary, Kitty, Carolyn, and Dominic. I can only imagine what you are going through, but I just know that although he is no longer with us in body, his memory will live on for the rest of our lives. When someone touches the lives of so many, they can never be forgotten.
John, Karen and Zach Nelson
vicky Gray
June 23, 2006
Dear Totaro Family, It was with great pleasure that I was able to care for Michael during his stay at Summa Health Systems. How lucky he was to be surrounded by such a loving, caring family. Through all of you, I could see he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. May your wonderful memories help you through the difficult times. Sincerely, Vicky Gray, RN, Summa Health Systems.
Monica Dever
June 23, 2006
Mrs. Totaro and family I am sorry for your loss Michael must have been a wonderful man. He had many people who loved him and surrounded him in his time of need. I am grateful I had the opportunity to meet all of you. Best wishes, Monica. (from ACH)
Ezell "Buffalo" Smith
June 23, 2006
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Steve Armstrong
June 23, 2006
We extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the Totaro family.
Lisa & Steve Armstrong
Lynne & John Czervionke
June 23, 2006
Kitty, Mike, Leigh, Brian, Jenna and Evan..John and I are so deeply sorry for the passing of your father and Grandpa. We are remembering all of you in our prayers. We will pray a Rosary for your family and ask that God will hold each of you in the Palm of His Hand. God bless,
Susie& Ed Heatherly
June 23, 2006
Our sympathy & prayers goes to your family at this difficult time. God Bless your family.
Judy Fulford
June 23, 2006
Dominic and Totaro Family,
The children and I are praying for the entire family. Grandpa Totaro will be deeply missed. Grandma we love and miss you and are saying a special prayer for you. You are in our hearts. Love Judy Fulford, Regan and Jacob Totaro
Hennessy Funeral Home
June 23, 2006
We would like to offer our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
The Hennessy Family
Karen Hornick-Sloan
June 22, 2006
My heartfelt condolences to Mrs T, Mary and the Totaro gang. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you...
Elliot Frank
June 22, 2006
Dear Dominic and Family,
My thoughts are with you in your time of mourning. Take a moment to remember all the good times, for in those memories your father will always be with you.
Judy Fulford
June 22, 2006
Grandpa we love you.We will miss you, your jokes,and you making us laugh. Grandma we love you along with all of our Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. We have said a special prayer for you Grandma. We love you with all of our heart. Regan and Jacob Totaro
Paula and John Roman
June 22, 2006
Debbie and Dave, already sent you a personal email, but to you and the whole Totaro Family, (especially Mrs. Totaro), we send our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers!!
Jim & Saran Lutz
June 22, 2006
Dearest Mary & Terry,
Jim has shared with me these past weeks about your dad and I have been praying for you both and your family, especially your mom.
You all are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord continue to give you His Peace and Strength these next few days and then in the adjustment that will follow. Your Father is probably up there playing golf with my Dad....golf and being Italian...oh my what a treat for the Lord to keep these 2 men in line. God is Good....God Bless you all. Love and Big Hugs. Jim and Saran xo
Isabelle Bratanov
June 22, 2006
to: Debbie & Dave; Mom Totaro, and entire Family. Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your father/husband. Please know you are all in our prayers during this difficult time. Dave & Debbie, God Bless and Take care.
Love Issy, John, Scott, Dani & Mark
Hannah Gribble
June 22, 2006
Debbie, Dave and the Totaro family,
It is with the deepest sadness for your loss that I express my sympathy. I celebrate with you in heart and spirit the great legacy left behind by such a tremendous, and loving husband and father. How blessed the Totaro's are that there are so many of you to keep alive the wonderful, sometimes painful, but glorious family memories. God bless you and comfort you as you allow your grief to express your love for your dad/husband/grandfather/friend.
Love,
Hannah Gribble (Dave's Sister)
Christy and Tom Bell
June 22, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you...I have so many fond memories from the Totaro house. Mr. Totaro always teasing me about something,as well as the longest dining room table that I had ever seen.I will continue to pray for your family.
Love, Christy Khoury-Bell
Cathy Malloy-Hayes
June 22, 2006
I'll miss and never forget you, Uncle Mike.
To Aunt Pat and all my cousins, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Patricia Ostroski
June 22, 2006
Dear Totaro Family,
Mr. Totaro was always such a friendly, supportive, involved man with family, sports, church, school etc. with his wife and the Totaro Dozen. May you cherish all of your special memories.
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