Melchior Louis 'Mike Venturella' Venturella

In loving memory of Melchior Louis "Mike" Venturella, who passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Mike was born and raised in Oklahoma City on October 5, 1928 to Louis and Anna Gullo Venturella. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Oklahoma City (the downtown bombing site), then attended Oklahoma A&M. He served his country by enlisting in the US Navy and graduated as honor man in his class from the United States Navy Hospital corpsman school in San Diego. After his return to OKC, he opened and operated an Italian Restaurant "Melchiorre's" on 10th Street. Mike was a loyal employee of Western Electric/AT&T retiring after 32 years of service. He had many friends at the plant and missed being with his ''work family". As a member of the Lucent Pioneers, he enjoyed the monthly get-togethers. A devout life-long catholic, Mike was a charter member of St. Patrick Catholic Church which he helped to construct. Among many ministries, he served as a member of the Parish Council, as Eucharistic Minister and Usher, was on the Building and Grounds Committee, President of the Men's Club and distributed food for Loaves and Fishes. In his spare time, he coached basketball, softball and was a cub master. Loved to hunt and fish and garden, and enjoyed travel. He was a Senior Master Gardener at OSU OKC. He took great pride in his children and was happiest when the family gathered. He cherished his grandchildren. He was a devoted, loving husband, a wonderful father and grandfather. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his only brother, George, his wife Janet Novotny Venturella and his Aunts Christina and Josephine Gullo. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Renate, daughters Pamela and Dennis Johnson, Annette and Dr. Roger Schultz and Denise Cuzalina and son Anthony Louis Venturella. Grandchildren: Marcus and Michael Johnson; Cheyenne and Savannah Venturella; Riley, Bailey, Aubrey and Wesley Schultz; Nico Cuzalina.