Mike A. Zappitelli

October 12, 1928 - January 26, 2022

Michele (Mike) Zappitelli, 93, of Mentor passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born October 12, 1928 in Santa Maria del Molise, Italy. He served in the Italian Army. Mike always had a strong work ethic. This showed when he came to America as an immigrant to achieve the American dream of being a business owner. He owned and operated a Convenient Food Mart with his wife Helen (Bertone) successfully in Mentor for 24 years. The Mentor business had a focus on giving back to the community. Everyone that came into their store knew Mike and could see the pride he took in making sure their business was an asset to the community of Mentor. Their business received numerous awards for the cleanliness, mainly because of Mike’s attention to detail. Prior to owning his businesses he worked at Lake Erie College as the Head of Maintenance. Mike was known for how meticulous he was in his work and how he channeled that into all he did in his life. Mike was a devoted husband to the love of his life Helen for 71 years. He was an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to spend numerous hours working on his yard where he won local landscape awards. Much of his time after retirement was spent with his family. One of his greatest joys was to eat a delicious meal prepared by his wife surrounded by his family on Sundays. He raised two daughters and was a very loving father who was always proud of his girls. After the passing of his oldest daughter Mary, he was heartbroken, but Mike’s strong faith in God and praying the rosary daily was his guide. Mike upheld many Italian traditions such as making homemade wine, canning tomatoes and making homemade sausage. Mike was also an active parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Helen (Bertone) Zappitelli; daughter Patricia Zappitelli, son in law Frank Zappitelli; grandchildren Danielle (Melvin) Huggins, Steven (fiancé Lindsey) Zappitelli, Michael (Hannah) Zappitelli and Mitchell Zappitelli; great grandchildren Gavin Huggins, Giada Zappitelli, Bellina Zappitelli and Michael “Mikey” Zappitelli. Siblings Antonio (Antoinette) Zappitelli and Olga (late Antonio) Pizzi. Sister and brother in laws Mafalda (Mike) Pizzi, Antoinette (Rob) Sheridan, Yolanda (Dale) Sprague, John (late Mary) Carlucci. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Luigi and Teresa Zappitelli; daughter Mary T. Zappitelli; siblings Alderina (Attilio) Mignelli, Anna (Giovanni) Ferrara, Giuseppe (Pierra) Zappitelli, Carmella (Nicola) Mignelli. Brother and sister in laws; Ida (Joe) Giancola and Carmine (Yolanda) Bertone. A private service for immediate family only will be held at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave, Mentor, OH 44060. A private burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation gifts to be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Oh 44060 or online at www.stmarysmentor.org. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.