Michele "Mike" Isetta

Michele "Mike" Isetta June 1, 1930 - February 27, 2008 Mike Isetta passed away from heart failure at St. Mary's Hospital in SF. His family and many friends will always remember his powerful work ethic, his love of people, his love of animals, his generous, expansive personality and his sense of humor. Born in San Francisco on June 1, 1930 to Sebastiano and Gelinda Isetta, he was raised in the Marina District and was fiercely proud of his Italian heritage. After graduating from Galileo High, he joined the US Army and served his country well as a sergeant during the Korean War. Like many war heroes of his generation, he never complained about the horrors of combat he witnessed, nor did he offer any details until several years ago at the urging of close family members. In 1955 he married his wife of 52 years, Margaret Brown. For more than five decades in San Francisco they lived life to the fullest. Mike was a hardworking Teamster, a devoted family man, and an avid outdoorsman, skilled as a hunter and a horseman. They say that ducks mate for life and it was never truer than with Marge and Mike. After she died this past November, it seemed as if more than half of Mike was gone to a place far away. On Wednesday night he completed that journey in the company of his family and his dog. He slipped away quietly, at peace with himself and his destination. He is survived by his daughter Kathryn Wickstrom-Karraker; his son-in law Greg Karraker; by his granddaughter Cynthia Wickstrom Zuniga; and his grandson-in-law Marco Zuniga. He is also survived by his former son-in-law Glenn Wickstrom; by his brother-in-law Melvin Giorgi; by the nieces and nephews of the Giorgi family; and by three-year old Papillon, "Tiny," who we guarantee will always be the best-cared for dog in the universe. Friends may visit after 4pm Monday, and are invited to attend the Vigil Service Monday, 7pm, and the Funeral Liturgy Tuesday, 11 am from the chapels of Valente Marini Perata & Co., 4840 Mission St., SF, followed by Committal Services at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Mike, you are reunited with Marge, your wife of 52 years. But the two of you will always be here with us. We love you.