He was a man who enjoyed simple pleasures later in his life. He loved sitting outside on a warm, sunny day or working quietly on a puzzle.
He was not always so quietly content. He began working at a very early age, learning the trade of meat cutting from an uncle and eventually making it his lifelong career. Dad worked at places like Food Fair and Farmer Jack. Then his path led him to become part owner of a store called the One Stop Meat Shop. As life sometimes does, his path changed again, leading him to a series of other endeavors.
Life wasn’t all work. When we were young, we took car trips around Michigan to see lighthouses, Mackinac Island, and Grindstone City. We also had a camper and went to places like Metamora and Lakeport.
Soon after that, Mom and Dad decided to buy a cottage in Forestville, right on Lake Huron. It was an unusual cottage, hanging off the side of a cliff on stilts. We spent many summers there swimming, gathering around campfires, and creating lasting memories. Eventually, Mom’s parents bought a place just down the street, and new memories were made there with his grandchildren.
Dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He learned the art of stained glass, and he enjoyed many vacation bus trips, visiting places such as New Orleans, Tennessee, and Georgia, as well as several stays at the Grand Hotel.
In his later years, he especially cherished his Friday afternoon visits with his son, always with his favorite drink—a Godfather—in hand.
Rest easy, Dad, and know you are loved and missed.
Tony leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Margaret; their children, Joseph (Maureen) Bartolotta, Melanie (Edward) Lotito; grandchildren, Angelena Bartolotta, Alaina Lotito, Joseph Lotito; also Frances (Robert) Legato; and many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Frances (Mangiapane) Bartolotta and siblings.
Instate will be on Monday, August 3, 10:30 am until a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic Church, 18720 13 E Thirteen Mile Rd, Roseville, MI 48066. Inurnment will be at Clinton Grove Cemetery, Clinton Township, Michigan.
