Mr. Michael John Zegarelli

UTICA - Mr. Michael John Zegarelli, age 63, passed away on Friday, April 27, 2018, after a valiant battle with cancer. At the time of his passing, his son was by his side, holding his hand, and giving him the strength and support to embrace the arms of the Lord. Michael was born on November 11, 1954 in Minster, Ohio, the son of Thelma (Kemper) Zegarelli and the late Nicholas Zegarelli. Mike and his family moved to Utica when he was a child. He was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy/Class of 1973. Mike then attended the University of Findlay College in Ohio where he played Division II football with his lifelong friend and fellow roommate, Al Niswander of Ohio, and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He went on to graduate from the College of Saint Rose with a Master’s degree in Special Education. Mike became a Special Education teacher in the Utica City School District where he worked for over 25 years until his retirement in 2012. He also held a position in the Utica School District for over 20 years as a coach for many sports including wrestling, baseball, softball, and most important to him, football. He was also known as the quintessential Ohio State football fan. Mike enjoyed the times he spent with his “breakfast group” sharing sports stories, jokes, and laughs as well as his Monday night dinners with Dave Scarlino, Joe Gentile, and Marty Nemecek. He joined the Utica College Football staff in the summer of 2002 where he coached for 13 years until he retired from coaching in the summer of 2015. The family appreciates the times the Utica College coaching staff, especially Blaise Faggiano, spent with Mike during his illness. He attended Historic Old St. John’s Church and was a true believer. Michael was a caring and loving person who would do anything for his family and friends. If you were one of the people who were lucky enough to be part of that group, you saw firsthand the kind of man he was. He also loved to eat, and his mom catered to his favorite cuisine, especially Ruben sandwiches, her signature dish that he truly appreciated. Mike’s greatest blessing in life was having a son to be a parent to, and playing and coaching college football. He humbly sacrificed for his son and empowered him to know and reach his potential. He was his son’s superhero, and Michael II is certainly his father’s son! Mike will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, colleagues, students, and the many athletes he coached, as a man who lived his life, as Frank Sinatra would say, … “my way”. Michael is survived by his mother, Thelma; his son and pride and joy, Michael J. Zegarelli II and his mother, Antoinette; and his brothers and sisters and their spouses, Ronald and Cynthia Zegarelli, Richard Zegarelli, Marie and James Goodman, Jacqueline Wuest and Frank Custodero, Cynthia Zegarelli, John and Joanne Zegarelli, Brian and Jane Zegarelli, and Mark Zegarelli; and his many nieces, nephews, 4 great-nephews, aunts, and uncles. He will remain in the hearts of his two “adopted sons”, Michael Christmas, and Randy Czternastek to whom he was a father figure for the past 20 years. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, D. Michael Wuest. The family would like to thank the staff at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, especially the 10th & 9th Floor, for the compassionate care rendered to Mike during his illness; and Dr. Sam Benjamin and his staff in Oneida for their medical care and support. The family honored and commemorated Mike’s life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Michael’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Monday afternoon at 1:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where his Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. John Buehler. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the service. By family request, please omit floral offerings. Remember, “Face Up”. https://youtu.be/6E2hYDIFDIU

Mr. Michael John Zegarelli

November 11, 1954 - April 27, 2018