Michael Joseph Deangelis

Michael Joseph DeAngelis, 80, of East Hartford, went home to the Lord and was reunited with his beloved wife of 50 years, Lina (Pizzo) DeAngelis, on Thursday, (February 28, 2008) at Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford on July 3, 1927 he was the son of the late Michael Sr. and Natalie (Carlo) DeAngelis and had lived in the area all his life. Michael retired from the Fuller Brush Company of East Hartford after 27 years of service. He also retired from the East Hartford Board of Education as the Custodial/Maintenance Supervisor. To keep busy after retirement he was employed as a crossing guard in East Hartford and looked forward to seeing the children each day. Every spring, Michael looked forward to the beginning of the baseball season and his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He lived to see them win not one, but two World Series championships. He was also a big fan of the Women and Men's UCONN basketball teams. Among his hobbies as a young man, Michael was a national champion roller skater in the pairs division. He enjoyed playing bocce at his family reunions each year and most of all, in recent years, he loved visiting the Board of Education in East Hartford, where he would parade his beloved 'little girl' Cricket around for everyone to admire. They made him feel welcome and special and for that his family is grateful. Michael was a man who lived his life for his family and nothing brought him more joy than to be surrounded by his children, son, Michael and his wife, Alina of Kensington; daughter, Natalie and her husband, David Wing of South Windsor and son, Jeffrey and his wife, Ellen of Mountain View, CA. Michael is also survived by his two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Sebby Polo of Hartford and Ann and John Leardi of California; and three sisters-in-law, Josephine DeAngelis of West Hartford, Carrie DeAngelis of Florida and Jean DeAngelis of Michigan. He'll be remembered for his devotion to his eight grandchildren, Nathan DeAngelis and his wife, Kerry, Justin DeAngelis and his wife Amy, Aaron Wing and his wife Valerie, Kristy Wing, David Wing, and Brian, Morgan and Jamieson DeAngelis. They brought much joy and countless smiles as he watched with pride as they journeyed through life. He was blessed to live to be called 'Great-Grampy' by his four precious great-grandchildren, Rhiannon and Owen Wing and Madison and Kamryn DeAngelis. As he lived out his life in retirement he found a special friend and companion, Dorothy Schmidt of East Hartford/Manchester. Over the last chapter in Michael's life, Dorothy not only was his best friend but also someone embraced and loved by his entire family. Among Mike's prized possessions was his loyal dog and buddy, Cricket. Everywhere he went, Cricket was right by his side. He would always say, 'Cricket loves people.' Michael was loved by so many, especially his many nieces and nephews. The laughter through the years of celebrations, including our annual family reunion, made his life complete because he was cherished and loved by all. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Mike was predeceased by his four brothers and a sister-in-law, Rocco, John, Russell and Danny and his wife Bella, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Carmela and Nicholas Cirone. Funeral service will leave Tuesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Christopher's Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford. Burial will follow in Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Friends and family may pay their respects on Monday from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made in Michael's name to Thomas O'Connell School PTA, 301 May Road, East Hartford, CT 06118. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com