Compari Mike always made me and my family welcomed to his home when we used to visit him and Comara Nina, it was a fun filled good time with lots of laughter he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary, Santella and family may god bless you. Love, Mary and Craig Fitzgerald

Our deapest sympathy and condolensces to the entire family.  Compare Mike will be missed by us all.  We have great memories of his sense of humor and good heart.  Commare Maria Lonigro and Family

Dearest Santella,

Please know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time.... Jeff, Carol and Adam Purkis.

Dear Santella and Mary Rose and family,We are greatly saddened by the passing of a wonderful friend.Compare may rest in peace.......
Compari Domenico e Maria Paganelli 
(Winnipeg,MB)

Dear Santella, Mary Rose  and families,
Our sympathy goes to all  of you at this time. He will be greatly missed in your lives but you will always have the memories.
Hold on to your memories and let them guide you during this time
of sadness.
With love and many blessings,
Cousins Mike and  Lena Binetti,  Enumclaw,  WA

Ciao Santella, ciao amore mio (Francesco). Vi abbraccio forte dall'Italia, l'Italia che nonno Mike ha sempre amato e che magari avrebbe anche voluto rivedere, se avesse avuto più forza e più energia per affrontare un viaggio così lungo. Sono stata felice e orgogliosa di conoscere il nonno, siamo stati insieme poco tempo, un mese nel giugno 2009, ma ci siamo legati "per sempre"...Ricordo esattamente ogni incontro con lui e anche le cose che mi ha detto...un segreto tra noi. L'ho stimato molto per il coraggio che ha avuto di lasciare il suo paese alla ricerca di fortuna dall'altra parte dell'oceano, con nonna Anna. Un grande amore e una vita di sacrifici ma anche di soddisfazioni. Ogni tanto sorrido perché io e Francesco anche se in un'epoca diversa stiamo affrontando la stessa situazione di nonno Mike e nonna Anna. Santella, Francy, siate sempre orgogliosi di quello che avete fatto per nonna e per nonno, siete sempre stati vicini a nonno Mike e questo "insegnamento di vita" vi aiuterà adesso che nonno non c'è più. Ma che sono certa morendo così improvvisamente è riuscito ancora una volta a stupirvi...non era un uomo come gli altri! Cercate di interpretare i suoi messaggi anche dall'alto e sappiate che nonno vi proteggerà sempre. Portatelo con voi, nei vostri cuori e nella vostra quotidianità. In questo modo non ne sentirete la mancanza. Vi voglio tanto bene e voglio tanto bene anche a nonno Mike. With all of my love. Valeria.

Dear Mary Rose, Santella and familys,

We are very sorry for the loss of Ba Mike. He will live on in our hearts forever. We have many wonderful memories of the good times we had with him.  We love you all and wish you many blessings at this time of need.

Carissimi Maria Rosa, Santella e Famiglia,

We are really sad and sorry for your loss.  We are always going to remember 'ba Mike in our hearts for the incredible person that he was.

Con amore,

MY FAVORITE CANADIAN VALENZANESE

You always knew where you stood with Mike.  He was never timid when it came to sizing you up and giving his opinion.  His delivery was a unique mixture of humor and haranguing.  I loved his style.  One such encounter happened on New Years eve.  For some reason we ended up in Vancouver and I was directed to the men folk playing blackjack in the basement.  At that time, the US dollar was discounted about 5%.  Well, in no uncertain terms, was Mike going to accept our crappy US dollars, let alone on parity.  After getting an ear full, the crowd overruled the 'financier' and we were allowed to play.  As luck would have it, I proceeded to clean out all the Loonies from the Canadians.  I distinctly remember Mike swearing at me and son-in-law, Rocco for permitting those cheap dollars to taint the game.  It was all in fun and I managed to pour salt on his wounds.  I told Mike that I would make good the discount rate the next time I returned to Vancouver.  Of course, from thereafter, I would remind Mike about the debt, but claim that I didn't have any Canadian nickels.  It was always fun to see him give me another lecture about the state of financial affairs between our two countries.  Now that he has passed on, I just hope that the kibitzing got his blood flowing and added a few precious days to a wonderful, fulfilling, long life.

    Viewing the pictures brought back fond memories.  Mike and Anna were almost a regal couple.  Anna, dressed to the hilt, reminded me of the Queen Mum and Mike a man of nobility.  What a couple, what a life.  We should give thanks to God for their longevity and the countless blessing that our creator bestowed upon them.
    There is one other story, that few may know.  His military pictures refreshed that recollection.  Mike, a full blooded Valenzanese, had enough of Mussolini and the war, as did all of Italy.  It must have been the fall of 1943 when Italy was near capitulation and Mike was stuck in, I believe, Yugoslavia.  Well, somehow, he managed to make his way back home, in civilian clothes, as he related.  He made it all the way back and had one last check point to clear.  This was somewhere on the road between Loseto and Valenzano.  As Mike relates, the Carabinieri were giving him a bad time and about ready to throw this 'deserter' into jail.  To the rescue come the townspeople and someone that recognized Mike and made up a story good enough to let him pass.
  There is no doubt that Mike has once again requested passage and residency in the Valenzano neighborhood of the Canadian sector of heaven.  
   God Bless you Mike.  May eternal joy be bestowed upon you.

Dear Santella,

I am so sorry for your loss. You were such a loving and devoted daughter. I will always remember you gathering items from the Canucks games for your Dad.  I am sure that always brought a smile to his face.  May the good memories help you get through a difficult time.  Love always, Janice

Santella -

Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father.  We will be thinking of you during this difficult time.

Dear Santella and Mary Rose and family,
My heart is heavy at the loss of Mike , so many years of memories with him and your mom. Your dad was my dad's best friend from all those years together at BC Rail and of course they continued their friendship up until the end. Your family was the first one we met as kids when we came from Canada. I will never forget one of the first memories with your dad and how he took us all to Mr.Mike's steakhouse and thinking wow Mike has a restaurant named after him :) Your dad was a man with integrity with a generous spirit and heart and a wicked sense of humor. I always loved the banter between him and your mom. We mourn his loss however I am happy that he is now with the love of his life "Nina". Whenever I pass by the area of the old house,  I smile because this will always remind of the friendship that our families shared. Until we see you again Mike, God speed and give Nina a big hug and kiss for me.
Ciao Mike , lots of love Celestina and Adriano Clemente and also from my dad and mom Carmine and Giovanna Clemente and my brother Giorgio and his family.

CARISSIME Santella, MaryRose and Families,

We are so sorry to hear of your Father's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  God Bless you!

With love ...

Dear Mary Rose, Santella and families, Our thoughts and prayers are with at your time of loss.  Compare Mike has been very close to our family for many many years and he will be missed by all of us.  We have very vivid memories of our times together all good of course.  He was a real joker and a interesting story teller.  We love you and will see you soon.

Dearest Mary Rose, Rocco and family,

Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time of loss.  Please know you are in our hearts.  It can be so hard to find words sufficient enough to console, but may the good memories you have bring you healing in the days ahead.   All our love Angela Abbinante and Louis Kozma

Zia marie Rose and familia, 

We are so sorry for your loss.  We are thinking of you during this hard time.  We love you lots, you are our family.

Love always, Natalie, Bryen and Steve

Dear Santella and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sandra Marino

Dearest MaryRose e Santella and all the Family. We were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Compare Michele.He was a fine gentle person,well loved by all who knew him. we remember with affection the time over 30 years ago when along with Commara Anna they visited us in WINNIPEG.Please accept our deepest Sympathy. Sincerely Angela e Tony Pancotto.Winnipeg(Manitoba)

Santella,

As you mourn your loss it is hoped that your devotion to, and care of your father, brings you strength and peace in the difficult days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Love and comfort,
Barb

Dearest Compari and Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow.
My dear Mary, find solace in knowing that God has blessed you abundantly with a loving family and friends from whom to draw strength and courage from for the difficult tomorrows. 
Take comfort in knowing that as a devoted and loving daughter you have continued to honour your father in the way you have shown love as a parent to your children each and every day. 

We love you and are here for you always.

Compari,
Rose Ann, Robert and Family

Dear Santella, thinking of you and Fran and wishing you both strength and courage at such a sad time and knowing how much you will miss Mike as will so many others. He was such an important part of your lives and he was so proud of both of you!  Love Bev, Bob, Meg and Dave

OBITUARY

Mr. Michele De Frenza

12 December, 1918 – 10 February, 2012

Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services