Mr. Michael Scelzi

He was born on January 28, 1929 in Fresno, California to Italian and Portuguese parents, Michael and Christine Scelzi. He was raised on a farm in west Fresno, one of five brothers and sisters, where he learned the value of hard work. He graduated from Fresno State in 1951 and married his beautiful wife Annette several months later. He served in the United States Army for three years during the Korean War, during most of which he was stationed in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, he worked in the automotive industry, including teaching for a time at Fremont High School and Clovis High School.

He spent the majority of his career as a small business owner, running an automotive repair shop in Fresno, Mike's Foreign Car Repair.

He was an honest and fair businessman who loved dealing with his regular customers, making new friends and lifelong customers easily with his gregarious personality. In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling. He and his wife also liked to dance and take trips to the casino. He was an excellent cook and baker. He loved most to spend time with his family, and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was energetic and optimistic during his short bout with cancer, regularly baking cookies and other treats to take to his doctors and nurses. He was a fighter, determined to hang on as long as possible to be with his family. Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Monroe Scelzi; and his sister, Marie DiRedo. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Annette; his daughter, Barbara Pardo; his son, William Scelzi; his two granddaughters, Haley Lynch and Lindsay Fischer; his two remaining siblings, Francis Casares and Lawrence Scelzi; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, September 11, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Friday, September 12, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.