GIACALONE, Michael “Mike” J. Sr. - of Flint, age 92, went to be with Our Lord Jesus Christ Our Savior in Heaven, on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at Avalon Hospice. Visitation Saturday 4:00 until 8:00 pm and Sunday 2:00 until 8:00 pm at Hill Funeral Home, 11723 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc. In State Monday 9:30 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 706 Beach Street, Flint, until Funeral Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 am. Rev. Fr. Frederick Taggert, O.S.A. celebrant. Burial Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
Michael was born April 24, 1918 in Flint, Michigan, the beloved son of Vincenzo and Vitina (Mattarella) Giacalone. He resided in Flint his entire life, he also attended and graduated from both Northern and Central High Schools and attended General Motors Institute. He married Anna Igno on January 20, 1940. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps in the Gaudal Canal Campaign and has been a lifetime member of the Davison VFW Post 4087. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and Sons of Italy. Mike was an avid bowler, along with his brothers Ben and Victor, and a member of the Flint Bowling Association. He retired from Buick Motor Division Experimental Engineering in 1975 after 40 years of service. Mike was a devoted son, husband, father, brother and uncle who gave his love unconditionally. He shared many good times with his childhood friends, his brothers, cousins and coworkers as both a lifetime member of the Leith Street Gang, Flint Sports Old Timers and at the East Court Street McDonalds. He was affectionately known and loved as “Gramps” at the Iron Horse Pub in Durand. The son of immigrants from Mazara Del Vallo, Sicily he worked hard from an early age selling newspapers for 3 cents, collecting coal during the depression, and started out at Buick by working on railroad cars. Mike was very proud of his children and family.
He was the beloved father of son, Dr. Michael Giacalone, Jr., M.D. and wife Marcia of Grand Blanc; daughter, Maryanne and husband Carl Mancour of Grand Blanc. He leaves to cherish his memory, his brother, Victor Giacalone of Flushing; Sister, Dora Giacalone of Grand Blanc; sister-in-law, Lena Igno Chintyan; step - granddaughters, Kristi Philpott of Flint and Sherrie and husband Scott Moore of Connecticut; step- grandson, Kevin and wife Debi Johnson of Fenton; Nieces, Barbara Jean (Dennis) David of Grand Blanc, Julianne (Jack) Marlette of Wisconsin, Mary Jane Mezaros of Grand Blanc, Barbara (Millard) Fillmore of AuTrain, Dianne Lewis of Flint, Carol (Frank) Freeman of Flint, Lynne (Richard) Church of Traverse City, Laura Alexander and Margaret (Harvey) McLand of Troy; Nephews, John Chintyan of Burton, James Chintyan of Davison, Stephen Mezaros of Arizona, James (Anita) Grimes of Owosso, Victor Giacalone of Flint and James (Rose) Giacalone of Ann Arbor; step great- grandchildren Sarah and Joshua Johnson of Fenton and Zachary and Christopher Moore of Connecticut and many cousins, great- nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Anna. She passed away on Christmas Day of 2009; parents; brothers, Sam Giacalone and Benedict Grimes and sisters, Vincenza and Virginia. Heartfelt gratitude for the special love, compassion and support Mike received during his illness from Brother Victor, Sister Dora, Sister-In-Law Lena, Nephews John and Jim Chintyan, Nieces Carol Freeman, Dianne Lewis, Laura Alexander and Margaret McLand, Great-nephew Michael Freeman. As well as special friends, Ted and Jackie Pudvay, his McDonald’s friends, Father Frederick Taggart and the physicians and staff of the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center and Avalon Hospice of Flint. Those who wish may contribute in Michael’s loving memory to St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Hill Funeral Home, Grand Blanc, MI.
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