Michael Sarni, Sr.
December 23, 1929 — April 23, 2015
Michael P. Sarni, Sr., 85, of Trumbull and a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 23, 2015. He was born on December 23, 1929 in Stamford to the late Pasquale Sarni and Mary Buchetto Sarni Arcano.
Mike worked at Philip’s (Milk of Magnesia) where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Marie, in 1950. Shortly after, Mike joined the US Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant until his separation in 1953. During that period, he received two Bronze Service Stars, a Combat Infantry Badge and a Purple Heart. Mike’s medals were due to a voluntary mission patrol of ten men, of which only two returned. He suffered mortar wounds of which he carried the reminder of schrapnel his entire life. After returning home from the war, he began working as a Construction Foreman at F.D. Rich Co. for thirty five years until his retirement.
Mike was a devoted and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His family was very important to him and he will be deeply missed. His infectious smile will be missed by all that knew him. He was an instrumental part of his grandchildren’s lives as he inspired them. His greatest enjoyment was appreciating their accomplishments, both scholastically and athletically.
He is survived by his loving children Michael P. Sarni, Jr. and his wife Millie, Michele Vitanza- Berlingo and her husband Mark, his loving grandchildren, Michael N. Sarni, Victoria M. Vitanza and Michael R. Berlingo. Also surviving are two sisters, Lucille Gladwin and her husband Russ, Geraldine Boccuzzi and her husband Buzz, his brother Dennis Arcano and his wife Nancy,a brother in law Joseph Pennella, sister in law Jackie Arcano, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides his parents, Mike was predeceased by his devoted wife, Marie A. Rich Sarni, who passed away on December 12, 2014, son in law Timothy E. Vitanza, sisters Lena “Dolly” Pennella, Fran Hickey, Theresa Arcano, brothers, Frank Arcano, Jr., Nicholas, Joseph, Anthony, Alfred and Thomas Arcano and his goddaughter Suzanne Rocca.
The Sarni family would like to extend a warm thank you to Fay and Marvalyn, Mike’s caregivers, for their wonderful care, compassion and love that he received during his final days at home.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford at 11:00 AM. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 27, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mike’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
Mike worked at Philip’s (Milk of Magnesia) where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Marie, in 1950. Shortly after, Mike joined the US Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant until his separation in 1953. During that period, he received two Bronze Service Stars, a Combat Infantry Badge and a Purple Heart. Mike’s medals were due to a voluntary mission patrol of ten men, of which only two returned. He suffered mortar wounds of which he carried the reminder of schrapnel his entire life. After returning home from the war, he began working as a Construction Foreman at F.D. Rich Co. for thirty five years until his retirement.
Mike was a devoted and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His family was very important to him and he will be deeply missed. His infectious smile will be missed by all that knew him. He was an instrumental part of his grandchildren’s lives as he inspired them. His greatest enjoyment was appreciating their accomplishments, both scholastically and athletically.
He is survived by his loving children Michael P. Sarni, Jr. and his wife Millie, Michele Vitanza- Berlingo and her husband Mark, his loving grandchildren, Michael N. Sarni, Victoria M. Vitanza and Michael R. Berlingo. Also surviving are two sisters, Lucille Gladwin and her husband Russ, Geraldine Boccuzzi and her husband Buzz, his brother Dennis Arcano and his wife Nancy,a brother in law Joseph Pennella, sister in law Jackie Arcano, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides his parents, Mike was predeceased by his devoted wife, Marie A. Rich Sarni, who passed away on December 12, 2014, son in law Timothy E. Vitanza, sisters Lena “Dolly” Pennella, Fran Hickey, Theresa Arcano, brothers, Frank Arcano, Jr., Nicholas, Joseph, Anthony, Alfred and Thomas Arcano and his goddaughter Suzanne Rocca.
The Sarni family would like to extend a warm thank you to Fay and Marvalyn, Mike’s caregivers, for their wonderful care, compassion and love that he received during his final days at home.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford at 11:00 AM. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 27, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mike’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
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