Mickey Contini

Mickey Contini was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Mickey will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Mickey was born on March 22, 1938. The hospital was a railway car in Ignace, Ontario. He was the son of Louis and Florence Contini. Mickey grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

      Mickey was raised with one sibling. He has a brother Mark.

      As a young boy, Mickey had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. Mickey was an active child who took part in softball, hockey and football. However, to Mickey, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

      A typical teenager, Mickey had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He attended Sault Collegiate. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. He enjoyed being President of student council. He had many interesting jobs. He was a messenger, a disc jockey and worked at Dorans Beer company.

      Mickey enjoyed his college years. He earned his B. A. While working as a teacher he also took courses pertaining to education plus wrote his superintendents papers. He also pursued graduate school, earning his M. Ed.

      On August 18, 1962 Mickey exchanged wedding vows with Katherine Ellen Gray at St. Andrews United Church of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

      Mickey worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Mickey was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters, John, Jan, Scott, Tracy. Another blessing for Mickey was the gift of twelve grandchildren, Nicholas, Elisabeth, Mikayla, Christina, Jessie, Ryan, Brady, Jordan, Alexander, Emily, Megan and Jenna.

      Fortunately, Mickey loved what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Mickey worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was in Education. A teacher and Superintendent and became the Director of Education. He was employed for 38 years. Mickey always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Throughout his life, Mickey was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations.

      Mickey was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs. So it is little wonder that he took an active role in his community, serving on committees for the Barber Shoppers, Kiwanis and the Retired Teachers Organization and many other committees.

      Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Mickey was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included Fellow of Ontario Teachers Provincial Association and Medal of Merit.

      Mickey was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Two of his favorites were Domino a Dalmation and Molly a Schnauzer. They were best friends, Domino for 12 years and Molly for 7 years.

      When Mickey’s retirement finally arrived in 1994, he was well prepared. His new life involved staying in Sault Ste. Marie. In retirement, he found new pleasure in being President of Retired Teachers of Ontario, playing golf, football trips with his sons and grandson, pool club and coffee club, dance competitions and travelling. Even in retirement, Mickey continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Mickey was active in his community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

      Mickey passed away on December 7, 2014 at Sault Area Hospital.

      Simply stated, Mickey was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. He will be well remembered for his sense of humour. Mickey leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Mickey Contini.

CONTINI, Lewis Joseph Stuart (Mickey), B.A., M. Ed. - Passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Sault Area Hospital, surrounded by his family. Mick was born in a railway car (his favourite story) on March 22, 1938 in Ignace, Ontario to the late Louis and Florence. A life-long resident of the Sault, he is mourned by his wife of 52 years, Katherine, children John (Jennifer) of Oakville, Jan Marrelli (Joe) of Sault Ste. Marie, Scott (Veronica) of Guelph and Tracy Orgovan (late Charlie) of Lapeer MI, grandchildren Nicholas, Elisabeth, Mikayla, Christina, Jessie, Ryan, Brady, Jordan, Alexander, Emily, Megan and Jenna, and brother Mark (Kim) of Toronto. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto, the former Director of Education of the Sault Ste. Marie Board of Education, and the former President of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO) and the Ontario Public School Men Teachers’ Federation, Mick spent 35 years as an educator in the Sault, including as the Director, and as a Superintendent, Principal and teacher, and served the community as a member of numerous charitable boards and committees. A talented athlete and an avid hockey and baseball coach, hunter, barbershop singer and pool player, he will be missed by his family and many friends, including the breakfast club at Muio’s and the boys on the annual football trip. Fondly remembered by his family for his wonderful sense of humour, and for the grace with which he bore many years of debilitating arthritis. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 6-9 pm. Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Rev. Phil Miller officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH Hospice or other charity would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to the doctors and staff of 3C at Sault Area Hospital for their skilled and compassionate care. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

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CONTINI, Lewis Joseph Stuart (Mickey), B.A., M. Ed. - Passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Sault Area Hospital, surrounded by his family. Mick was born in a railway car (his favourite story) on March 22, 1938 in Ignace, Ontario to the late Louis and Florence. A life-long resident of the Sault, he is mourned by his wife of 52 years, Katherine, children John (Jennifer) of Oakville, Jan Marrelli (Joe) of Sault Ste. Marie, Scott (Veronica) of Guelph and Tracy Orgovan (late Charlie) of Lapeer MI, grandchildren Nicholas, Elisabeth, Mikayla, Christina, Jessie, Ryan, Brady, Jordan, Alexander, Emily, Megan and Jenna, and brother Mark (Kim) of Toronto. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto, the former Director of Education of the Sault Ste. Marie Board of Education, and the former President of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO) and the Ontario Public School Men Teachers’ Federation, Mick spent 35 years as an educator in the Sault, including as the Director, and as a Superintendent, Principal and teacher, and served the community as a member of numerous charitable boards and committees. A talented athlete and an avid hockey and baseball coach, hunter, barbershop singer and pool player, he will be missed by his family and many friends, including the breakfast club at Muio’s and the boys on the annual football trip. Fondly remembered by his family for his wonderful sense of humour, and for the grace with which he bore many years of debilitating arthritis. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 6-9 pm. Memorial Service will be held in the chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Rev. Phil Miller officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH Hospice or other charity would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to the doctors and staff of 3C at Sault Area Hospital for their skilled and compassionate care. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com