Michele Antonio D'Andrea
November 2, 1923 - May 18, 2011
Obituary
Mike passed away peacefully on May 18, 2011 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife, Ameatha, his sister Faye, his sons Louis and Tony, his daughter in law Lisa, his three grandchildren Louis Jr., Nicolas and Dillon and an endless supply of people who appreciated him in life.
Mike was born to Italian immigrants in 1923 and after living four years in the Italian district of Rainier Valley Mike referred to it as ‘Garlic Gulch’ lived virtually his entire life on Sunset Hill in Ballard. He attended Adams Elementary, Monroe Junior High School and Ballard High School before enlisting in the Merchant Marines during World War II where he witnessed the fighting during the battle of Okinawa. After the war, Mike returned home but continued to work as a merchant sailor until after his second son was born. Wanting to stay closer to home for his family Mike worked as a machinist on the shipyards of Salmon Bay and invested in local real estate.
Mike was an avid baseball fan, dedicated father, proud Italian and a mainstay in Ballard. He loved puttering around Ballard in his pick-up truck, purchasing small treats at the local grocery stores, tending to his many home improvement projects, attending his sons’ sporting events, working on cars and attending garage sales. He loved growing fruit and vegetables in the spring, making homemade ice cream in the summer, smoking salmon in his backyard smoke house and making eggnog at Christmas time. Perhaps more than anything else, he loved entertaining people with an endless supply of jokes and stories. He will be greatly missed by those of us who had the privilege of knowing him in life.
There will be a graveside committal service held at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, 21714 Old Owen Road, Monroe, WA at 2:00pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. A memorial will be held in Ballard at a future date.
Mike was a neighbor and friend early in my life. Quick sense of humor, hard worker, great role model as a husband, father and employer. He was the fairest and best paying lawn mowing customer I ever had.Thank you Mike.
Sincere condolences to Mickey, Tony, Louis, Marie, Shelly, and Faye, with fond memories of you all.
Mickey, Louis, Tony, Lisa, and Faye:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss of a great man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
Love from the Johnstone’s
Larry and Deborah
Dear Mickey, Tony, Louis, Marie, Shelly, and all your family,
Remembering what a wonderful guy Mike was. The Smith family was lucky to have known him. We share many good memories of his sense of humor, intelligence and kindness. He will be missed.
Our best wishes and prayers,
Joan Smith
Christine Smith
Our deepest symphathy.
The Vito Quaranta Family
Remembering your family.