1918
Robert
2013
Robert E. Michael
August 18, 1918 — November 25, 2013
Lowellville - Robert E. Michael, 95, died Monday evening, November 25, 2013, at his home surrounded by his wife and son.
Mr. Michael was born August 18, 1918 in Lowellville, a son of Leonardo and Angelina Vannelli Esposito.
Bob was a 1936 graduate of Lowellville High School. Upon graduation, he began working for Sharon Steel in Lowellville until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. on July 20, 1942. Serving during World War II, he fought in the South Pacific in the Fourth Marine Division, fighting in the battles of Iwo Jima, Siapan, Tinian, and Roi Namur. He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1945 with the rank of Corporal.
After being discharged, Bob attended Seton Hall College before transferring to the Ohio State University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in architectural engineering. He later attended graduate school from 1959 until1961 at Westminster College majoring in mathematics with a minor in science.
After college, he and his brother, Edmund, opened a neon sign shop in Lowellville called the Splendor Electric Company and operated the business for two years. He then taught high school math and science at Jackson Milton and Poland Schools for several years and then worked in engineering sales for local plumbing and heating businesses. In 1981, Bob retired after 11 years of service with the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services in the Compliance Department as an auditor.
Bob grew up in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville and in high school served as choir director and organist on special occasions. He was a current member of Christ Our Savior Parish at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Struthers. While at Holy Trinity Church, he volunteered his time raising money for the building fund, working the church festivals, and served as a past Assistant Scout Master for Holy Trinity Troop No. 102.
Mr. Michael was a lifetime member of the following veterans organizations. He served as past Post Commander of the American Legion Post No. 247, past Trustee of the V. F. W. Post No. 3538, past Commandant of the Tri-State Marine Corps. League No. 494, and was a member the Fourth Marine Division Association. Bob was also a member of PERI No. 18, OBES Retirees, and the Lowellville Seniors.
Bob had a love of music, but had a special passion for classical music. As a child, he began studying music and learned to play the piano. Continuing his love for classical music throughout his entire life, he studied musical theory at YSU in the over 60's program after retirement. In his spare time, he also enjoyed doing handyman work around his home and for family.
He leaves his wife, the former Mary Jean Lisko, whom he married August 10, 1957; son, Robert W. Michael of Lowellville; sisters-in-law, Mary Esposito of Woodland Hills, CA and Agnes Lisko of Struthers; and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Edmund, and Leonard Esposito.
A prayer service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:45 a.m. at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Mr. Michael's name to the Holy Trinity Building Fund, 250 N. Bridge St., Struthers, OH 44471 or to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
Mr. Michael was born August 18, 1918 in Lowellville, a son of Leonardo and Angelina Vannelli Esposito.
Bob was a 1936 graduate of Lowellville High School. Upon graduation, he began working for Sharon Steel in Lowellville until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. on July 20, 1942. Serving during World War II, he fought in the South Pacific in the Fourth Marine Division, fighting in the battles of Iwo Jima, Siapan, Tinian, and Roi Namur. He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1945 with the rank of Corporal.
After being discharged, Bob attended Seton Hall College before transferring to the Ohio State University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in architectural engineering. He later attended graduate school from 1959 until1961 at Westminster College majoring in mathematics with a minor in science.
After college, he and his brother, Edmund, opened a neon sign shop in Lowellville called the Splendor Electric Company and operated the business for two years. He then taught high school math and science at Jackson Milton and Poland Schools for several years and then worked in engineering sales for local plumbing and heating businesses. In 1981, Bob retired after 11 years of service with the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services in the Compliance Department as an auditor.
Bob grew up in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville and in high school served as choir director and organist on special occasions. He was a current member of Christ Our Savior Parish at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Struthers. While at Holy Trinity Church, he volunteered his time raising money for the building fund, working the church festivals, and served as a past Assistant Scout Master for Holy Trinity Troop No. 102.
Mr. Michael was a lifetime member of the following veterans organizations. He served as past Post Commander of the American Legion Post No. 247, past Trustee of the V. F. W. Post No. 3538, past Commandant of the Tri-State Marine Corps. League No. 494, and was a member the Fourth Marine Division Association. Bob was also a member of PERI No. 18, OBES Retirees, and the Lowellville Seniors.
Bob had a love of music, but had a special passion for classical music. As a child, he began studying music and learned to play the piano. Continuing his love for classical music throughout his entire life, he studied musical theory at YSU in the over 60's program after retirement. In his spare time, he also enjoyed doing handyman work around his home and for family.
He leaves his wife, the former Mary Jean Lisko, whom he married August 10, 1957; son, Robert W. Michael of Lowellville; sisters-in-law, Mary Esposito of Woodland Hills, CA and Agnes Lisko of Struthers; and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Edmund, and Leonard Esposito.
A prayer service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:45 a.m. at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Mr. Michael's name to the Holy Trinity Building Fund, 250 N. Bridge St., Struthers, OH 44471 or to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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