Michael A Minerva

Mike Minerva - Merritt Island – Michael Anthony Minerva. On Friday, January 21st, 2022, he left us to be with Our Lord, in Heaven and with other family members who preceded him. Mike was born January 6, 1927, in Brooklyn, NY to Brigida (Bessie) and Francesco (Frank) Minerva. They soon moved to Maspeth, Queens where he played on the streets and in the local Maspeth train yard. During his youth, he sold soda pop, and worked with his father delivering coal in the winter and ice in the summer. He spent much time with family.

As a young man, he moved with his parents to a home in Ridgewood, then to Canarsie, Brooklyn. He joined the U.S. Navy in December of 1944 during WWII. After the war, he worked as an auto mechanic, a plumber, electrician and a carpenter. He met the love of his life, Josephine Patricia “JoPat” Labruzzo at his sister Paula’s wedding. They married on August 20, 1950, and lived in Brooklyn where their 3 children Michael Jr., Christopher and Theresa were born. In October of 1962 they moved to Valley Stream, NY, where they raised their family, and their sons graduated from Valley Stream Central High School. In November 1974, they moved to Merritt Island, FL, where Theresa graduated from high school.

While married and working in Manhattan, NY, Mike worked as a carpenter on skyscrapers such as the Chrysler building. He made a career change into the film industry; working his way up from a “movie can carrier” to an accomplished film editor at Filmways, MPO and Producing Artists. Then he became a business owner of Magi Productions. When he moved to Florida he started in real estate sales. Then he found his joy and excelled at working with seniors, providing Medicare health insurance supplements.

Mike leaves behind family in New York, Florida and Alabama: his 3 children with their spouses, Michael Minerva Jr. and Patricia (Leonforte) Minerva, Chris Minerva and Nancy (Siegel) Minerva, Theresa (Minerva) Miles and Donnie Emmeneger, 8 grandchildren; Michael III (wife Melissa LoMenzo), David, Joanne (Minerva) Rosette (husband James), Paulaidan Minerva, Angela Minerva, Brandon Miles (wife Dana), Dana Miles, Jordan Miles (wife Victoria), and great-grandchildren Nicholas, Chiara, John and Jason, and baby on the way - James Michael. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marie Minerva and older cousin Nick Ruggiero. He leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews, their husbands and wives, their children and grandchildren.

Mike is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, JoPat (2009), his 4 siblings Paula Clemente (Coram, NY), Patrick Minerva (Babylon, NY), Angelo Minerva (Titusville, FL) and Frank Minerva (Hewlett Harbor, NY).

Michael with his wife JoPat were devoted members of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, on Merritt Island, where Mike ushered on Sundays for many years. While in New York, and in Florida, he always went out of his way to help others; moving, doing home repairs (he could build and fix anything!), filing paperwork, giving financial and every kind of advice. Each year at Christmas, he and JoPat organized a team of people to visit the local nursing homes. They distributed gifts to every resident, and sang Christmas carols. After JoPat passed, he continued hosting family gatherings at holiday times. About daily life, he would say “You’ve gotta have humor!” and “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken!” and advice to his grandchildren - “Check your oil once a week!” and he also said “Don’t say ‘Goodbye, that’s too permanent. Say ‘So long!’” He will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he has touched.

Special thanks to all the caretakers at Hospice of St Francis and Aging Matters, for their companionship, support and services during Mike’s last few years while he was staying with Chris and Nancy.

Visitation hours will be from 2 - 4 pm and 6 - 8 pm, Monday, January 31st. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, February 1st at 11 am, at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island. Interment will follow at Brevard Memorial Park, Cocoa, and a reception will follow at 2 pm at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge at 3150 N. Courtenay Parkway.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Aging Matters in Brevard, Agingmattersbrevard.org or mail a check to 3600 W. King St., Cocoa, FL 32926. Or Call Peggy at 321-806-3716.

You may sign Mike’s guestbook at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com or email your memories to [email protected]. "Love is Forever…"