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BORN
1950
DIED
2016
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Michael Lapolla Obituary
March 28, 1950
November 10, 2016
On November 10, 2016, the Lord called Michael Henry Lapolla home. After a long courageous struggle following a brain stem stroke, Michael died peacefully in his sleep at Rosewood Rehabilitation Center in Sparks, Nevada. Michael was born March 28, 1950 in Manchester, Connecticut, to Henry and Corinne "Rusty" Lapolla, who preceed him in death. During his high school years he had a band called the Riptides, who played at various military bases in Southern California. They were also selected to play at the Olympic Auditorium for a live television broadcast. Playing the guitar was a lifelong love of Michael's. After being one of the youngest students accepted into Brooks Insitute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California, he worked for a time as a commercial photographer, having his work published in both Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably during the Vietnam War. Upon leaving the USAF, Michael continued his work with the United States government while living in Hawaii. His career in military Special Operations earned him, among other recogniiton, a special commendation letter from the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet. Moving to Reno, Nevada, to be near his family, Michael earned degrees from both Truckee Meadows Community College, and the University of Nevada-Reno in Electronics Engineering. He was twice selected for the National Deans List as an outstanding academic. Upon graduation, he worked as senior electronics engineer for an international company headquartered in Australia. At the time of his stroke, Michael had an online tutorial and blog to assist engineering students with their studies and work. Michael is survived by his sister, Marianne Lapolla-Hiser, who is retired from federal service. Interment to be at Mountain View Cemetery in Reno, Nevada. Military Color Guard provided by The War Veteran's Memorial Association of Western Nevada. In lieu of flowers, it is requested donations be made in his name to the University of Nevada- Reno, School of Electronics Enginering. Arrangements under the direction of Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker Avenue, Reno, Nevada.
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