Michele "Mike" Angelo LaSorsa

LaSORSA, MICHELE "MIKE" ANGELO - age 77, died peacefully at his home in South Knoxville with family on Christmas Eve night. Mike was born on December 1st, 1934 in Hudson Falls, NY, moved to Providence, RI and then served with the United States Army in the AirBorne. Following the Korean War, "Poppa" headed to Knoxville, TN as a University of Tennessee walk-on to the 1956 undefeated football team. After a successful college football career culminating his senior year as captain and graduation in 1961, Mike chose to keep Knoxville as his home, becoming a celebrated high-school teacher and coach. Mike dedicated his life to mentoring young men through sports. Mike helped to found The Knoxville Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was an active member of the UT Lettermen's "T" Club, and a Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Mike is preceded in death by his father, Salvino LaSorsa, and older brother, Vincent LaSorsa. Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Rose Marie; their sons, Scott and Brent; daughters-in-law, Cathy and Karen; eight grandchildren, Olivia, Sophia, Mason, Cambria, Julia, Karley, Hannah and Hayden; mother, Laura Thornock; brother, Tony DiChiro; nephew, Vinny LaSorsa; niece, Carmele Goins; several extended family members including Richard and Mary Joan Baggot and many dear friends. Mike will be memorialized during a mass on Wednesday, December 28th @ 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that gifts be made to either The American Cancer Society or UT Medical Center Hospice Services. Mike was deeply loved and will be terribly missed, yet there is celebration in his death for his extraordinary life, huge heart and now his homecoming to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ