My Sweet Uncle Mike,  It feels like just yesterday I was sitting on your lap at a holiday meal being told it was time to go home and wrapping my little arms around your neck so tight and refusing to let go.  You were my comfort while everything around me was chaos.  You were my strength in reminding me whose niece I was and how strong that made me.  You rescued me from a dangerous life when no one else cared to find me.  From that day forward, when you tucked me under your angel wing and took me away from harm, you made me feel wrapped in your wings always.  Even when I wasn't with you.  You were so much bigger than life to me Uncle Mike and if my daddy would have let me, you know I would have never left your side.  In a family were ridicule was used as a motivator, it was always you who told me I was the most beautiful little girl you had ever seen.  When I was singled out in a house full of girls all veying for the men's attention, you put me on your lap and whispered your favorite nickname for me, Sophia, refusing to acknowledge that I was Spanish and insisting that I was your little Italian Sophia Loren, because you were my Uncle and you said it was so.  At the time I had no idea how rare and special our bond was.  Today, I miss it more than anything and know it will never be duplicated.  I love you so very much Uncle Mike and cannot wait to be together again one day in Heaven.  Until then, I feel you next to me all the time and know you never ever leave my side.  Your lil Sophia,
Marcella Gisser

Vovie,

All of the family refers to me as "Sis", but not you, to you I was always Sarah Denise.

One of my most fondest memories of you was on Goya Parkway. I was staying with you and Auntie Ann. It may have been when Georgie was born, which would have made me about 5 years old.
We had finished dinner and I helped Auntie clear the table. When I had finished, I went over and sat on your lap, you were still sitting at the table. You reached in your pocket and handed me a nickel for clearing the table. I said to you "Do you have a bigger coin, you know like this one, but bigger? Because the bigger coin will get me a Coke Icy and Sweetarts at Handy Pantry." You let out such a loud laugh! And yes, you reach in your pocket and gave me that quarter.

There were memories of sitting in the living room with you, while you played Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, and Frankie Fanelli records that were the old fashioned vinyl on your stereo console. How much you enjoyed their music!

There was the time when Sarah Marie and I were in a car accident in Land Park. Again, I think I was around 4 or 5 years old. Sarah was taken to the hospital via ambulance, and a fireman took me to the closest house until you got there. As I watched from the window the ambulance left and I was scared. It wasn't long before I then saw you pull up in your van. I told the lady whose house I was in that it was ok, my Vovie was here! 

I will always remember your love of Lincoln Continentals, Thunderbirds and Cadillacs!

And memories I will most treasure is the love you had for me, Gerry and Marisa. 

Vovie, I hope your workshop in heaven is full of furniture for you to build and refinish! 

May the perpetual light shine upon you!

Love,
Sarah Denise

Nonni, there is so much I wish you could see in our lives right now, but I know you're watching down on us and smiling...Just as we look up at know you're there.

You taught me about hard work and finishing something, no matter how hard it is.  I thank you for that and am grateful for it.  

I hope you have the best workshop wherever you are and are working on something beautiful.  

We love and miss you.

Love, Bryan & Steven.

  
                                        "To my Vovi"                                                                         

You were known by so many as; Michael, Notch, Nacio, Ignacio and even "Iggy" by a few, but to me you will always be my "Vovi".

It is so hard for me to put into words how much it means to me to have you as my Uncle for the 64 years of my life. As a child, I was blessed to have you and Auntie Ann as almost a second set of parents. As a bother to Mom (Cel) and George you created together a special bond of love and respect of each other that few could understand and all wished that they had. Through good times and tough times your love of your parents, your sister and brother was unwavering and could never be challenged. 

Our "family" gave me most of the principles to which I have tried to maintain as a man and many of those came thru you. Sarah, Andy and I often talk fondly of our childhood years growing up in our family and will always remember that you were a great part of that time of our lives. Those summer days at Sam's Cabin, Little League Baseball, weekend family dinners at the ranch and many more things that I was able to experience most of my friends were never blessed to be able to do with their family. 

As a young man we were physically apart for many years but we always seemed to make time to see and talk with each other. Most of the conversations always revolved around what was going on with everyone in the family. At that time, it seemed to be a little boring to me, but now I understand the meaning of those talks and how much you valued everyone else's well being. 

When I married Laurie, you and I talked about how lucky I was to have someone like her in my life and to always take care of her. You treated Laurie with the same love that you gave me and it came unconditionally. 

These last 20+ years we had so many good times together as a family and I know how important it was to you for us to maintain traditions in those celebrations and not forget where we all came from. 

I already miss our calls and visits, some of those with tears but most of them with laughter. You would ALWAYS be worried about Mom, George, Sarah and Andy and they were always worried about you. 

You left a legacy of which you should be proud of in Sarah and Andy, who I see as my sister and brother, not just my cousins. There are so many others you touched during your lifetime and they will always remember you in their own special way. 

All of us left behind will miss their Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, relative and friend, but me, I will always miss my "Vovi". 

Love, Jim & Laurie

Michael was not just my father-in-law, but a good friend and a mentor.  I want to publicly honor Michael and more importantly, to thank him for his friendship.   

As most of us know, Michael was a very private person and a man of few words.   What I have come to understand these past few years . and what I would like to share today. is my realization that Michael truly personified that old adage Actions speak louder than words?  

As I look back over the last 20 years, I think about the many thoughtful things Michael did for others and what he especially did for me.   He defines a man of action. A man with a lot of depth, generosity, love and devotion.    

A couple of memories I'd like to share:

•A year after dating Andy, I bought a house in Greenhaven.  Michael knew that I didn't have much money and knew that I didn't know much about remodeling.   Well a couple of days after I moved in, Michael shows up on my door step with his tool belt and asks me what he could do to help.   I couldn't believe it - -  I didn't ask for any help, he simply showed up and started working.   Michael spent over one month working side-by-side with me - we replaced carpets, installed wooden floors, changed the kitchen counter, painted cupboards, converted electrical appliances to gas, tore down walls. 

When I asked Michael why he was helping me. And to this day, I remember his words.. he simply said I know you needed help, and Andy is my son.   Michael, I will forever be thankful for your kindness and generosity - -  you recognized I didn't have a clue and you gave so much without asking for anything in return.

Since my first home, Michael has helped Andy and me build a duplex and our current home.   I know building these homes was a labor of love and an extraordinary gift from him.     

•There are so many memories  I am so thankful that Michael joined Andy, Lisa, Bryan and I on a family trip to Europe in 1998.  This trip was such an emotional journey for Michael  He not only visited his parents birth place and met with distance relatives, but also revisited those cities in Germany and France where he spent time during WWII.    I learned so much about Michael during this vacation I witnessed the varying dimensions of his character -- Michael as an Italian American  a proud father and grandfather  a very respectful, obedient, and loving son  and a proud soldier who served his country.   

•My most touching memory of Michael was at his 85th Birthday party.  Michael truly appreciated having the family together and the event meant so much to him.  It was his actions more than his words that really resonated. he pulled me aside, looked at me with tears in the eyes and said thank you - -  really thank you.   I will never forget that moment. It wasn't so much his words, but the effort he put forth to express his genuine appreciation.

Michael  I owe you such a huge debt of gratitude.   I thank you for providing me a devoted father figure, for being my friend, for teaching me the importance of family, for demonstrating how to conduct oneself with respect and dignity. 

We love and will miss you. Rest in peace

Comments prepared by Andy Plescia and delivered by Larry Ellsworth at the services for Michael Plescia on April 14, 2016

My father was a caring and dedicated son, brother, husband. father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend and business colleague.  He was known as Notch to many, and was a talented woodworker.  What he enjoyed the most was being with his family and working in his carpentry shop and arbor at his house.  

Siblings:
My father had a strong relationship with his sister Cel and brother George.  In fact my father considered Cel and George his best friends.  As the oldest son in a Sicilian family he was called upon to not only assist my grandparents with the family business, the household and their ongoing transition to America, but also provided guidance to his younger sister and brother.   In other words try to get them to do what my grandparents wanted them to do, and cover up for them when they didn't. 

Family was the most important thing to my father.  While growing up my parents' social life really centered around the family.  The three siblings and my respective cousins did everything together from holidays, social events, sporting events - and even vacations including our typical trips to Southern California to visit the DiMaggio side of the family to summer vacations at Lake Tahoe and staying at Sam's cabin.

Military:
As you know my father served in the Army during World War II as a paratrooper.  from 1944 to 1946, and was discharged with honors.  We are very proud of his service to this country.  A dear long-time family friend  Kevin Ellsworth  who wrote these words in a very touching message to our family the other day.  Our Nation will forever remember what Michael Plescia and his fellow warriors bravely accomplished in World War ll.  Their selfless service and extraordinary courage set the standard by which character and competency are measured in the Armed forces today.  It was an unimaginable conflict met by the most amazing warriors the world has ever seen.  World War II Veterans define the Greatest Generation and our Nation has your Father to thank for the liberty and quality of life we have the privilege of sharing today.  We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to people like your father and all of our World War II veterans.

Growing Up:
My sister Sarah and I were very fortunate to grow up and be raised by my father and my mother Ann during the 1950's and 1960's in Parkway Estates  a very nice, clean suburban area in Sacramento.  My father was a great provider and along with my mother created an absolutely loving, caring and overall wonderful environment to grow up in during those times.  When I have described my childhood to my wife Joan - she tells me that I had a Leave to Beaver upbringing.  Now for those of you who don't remember Let It To Beaver was a television show in the late 1950's that portrayed the perfect family life with a father, mother, two children, pets, etc.  and of course with no issues or problems.  I tell her that I agree it was a great upbringing - however I have to remind her that we were raised with a Sicilian-Catholic twist which means we that is a fair amount of guilt to go along with that upbringing.

Love of Music:
My father loved music  of course it had to be Italian music.  When we grew up it was common on Sundays for him to put on his collection of favorite music on our console stereo cabinet at a very high volume level.  We would listen to his collection of Jerry Vale, Mario Lonza, Sergio Franchi, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra  you get the jest  all Italian singers.  My Aunt Cel and Uncle Jim also lived in Parkway Estates about two blocks away from our house separated by Parkway School.  Well my aunt and uncle had the same Sunday afternoon trait, same collection of music and the same tendency for the high volume.  So if you stood on the playground at Parkway School on a Sunday afternoon you could get an early version of surround sound from the two households.

Sicilian Heritage:
My father was very proud of his Sicilian heritage and that pride carried over to his children and grandchildren.  I had the pleasure of traveling with my father to Sicily in 1998 to visit the village that his parents  my grandparents - immigrated from to America.  I had the pleasure of being with him as we walked through Piana degli Albanesi and watch him walk the same streets that his parents walked when they were growing up.  It was very touching to see him being approached by numerous village residents after they recognized he was American but spoke the local language of Arberesh  a dialect of the Italian language unique to the Piana region.  

The journey of my grandparents migrating to America continued with their passing through Ellis Island in New York.  I was fortunate enough to visit Ellis Island with my father in 2008 and walk with him through the same areas that my grandparents walked when they came through in 1913 and 1923.  It was a very touchy feeling.

Later Life:
Later in life my father met Patricia  his current wife.  They have been together over 16 years.  We have to take a moment to really thank Patricia for coming into my father's life and making him so happy.  We can't tell you how much we appreciate her taking such wonderful care of my father and being there for him every day during the time that you were together.  Patricia you were very good to him and he loved you dearly.  You two had a very special relationship, and as I said at their wedding my father's eyes always lite up whenever Patricia walks into the room.

Lessons:
My sister Sarah and I learned many lessons from my father over the years.  He taught us about hard work, dedication and commitment.  He taught us to be a be responsible, and be a good person.  Three things that resonated with us are: 1) Nothing is more important than family; 2) Embrace who you are; and 3) Be proud of where you came from

As we think about my father please remember it is okay to cry, it is okay to laugh, it is okay to be sad and it is okay to smile  but the most important thing is to remember.

Dear Patricia...Our deepest sympathy to you and the entire Plescia family. 
Sincerely, Dave and Karen Cooper

Michael, you're missed by all your old friends and clients at HCD as well!

Notch --remembering the laughs we used to share...while some would call it work

"So heaven has received another angel
The night sky another star
Your life has become a loving memory
I know you will never be far".

We will miss you Nonni!
 
Love always ~ Your Grand Daughter, Lisa Marie Plescia

OBITUARY

Michael "Notch" Plescia

August 11, 1925 – April 5, 2016

Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home

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