Michael J. Scarpello

Michael J. Scarpello passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2020 at the age of 99. He was the son of the late Francesco and Maria Frances Scarpello, and was preceded in death by his sister, Mary, and his beloved wife of 64 years, Antionette. He was a member of Visitation BVM Church.

Michael was survived by his loving daughter, Mary Frances, her husband, Michael Furey, and his grandson, Michael Nicholas, who was the light of his life.  He was also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbors, whose company he so enjoyed.    

Michael attended Northeast Catholic High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, received training in radar and radio communications, and served in the Technical Service Unit Signal Corp during WWII in the Pacific Theatre.  He was honorably discharged at the rank of Technical Sergeant in 1945.

He attained membership in the Institute of Radio Engineers in 1958.  While working full time, he studied computer science and mathematics in the evening division of LaSalle College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 1970. 

Michael was a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.  He worked for the RCA company, and then as a manager in the computer technical support division of the Finance Department for the City of Philadelphia until his retirement in 1985.

In retirement, “Pop” devoted his life to his family, his garden, and his Catholic faith. He enjoyed his wife’s fine cooking and his daughter’s holiday celebrations, often spending hours at markets searching for just the right ingredients for the perfect Italian meal.

Pop had a quick wit, and a kind heart.  When we said to him “I love you” his response always was “I love you more” and we knew that to be true every day of his life.    

Eulogy for Michael J. Scarpello by his grandson, Michael Nicholas Furey  

July 31, 2020

            Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” And I believe my grandfather, who has been pious all his life, who always told me to pray and have faith, did. He never wanted us to worry, because he knew that we would eventually see God, and that all will be well. He told us that many times. I think that is also why he did not want us to worry about him. He always insisted on calling the banks and pharmacies himself. Until the very end of his life, he had all his own meals, and kept the house just to his liking. It was his way of telling us that all was well, that he prayed for us, that we would pray for him, and that if we were really patient, we would eventually see God in what we do and have peace.

            I felt terrible a few years ago when my grandmother Antoinette passed and I knew my grandfather lost his best friend. I was worried that he wouldn’t have as many friends, and maybe would not be as happy. He loved driving on his own. He loved eating good food. And even when he couldn’t do all that, I think it became clear that he loved the most being with all of us, and I think he found peace in that. He saw God in my grandmother and knew that he would be with her one day. He saw God in his daughter who would grow up to make him very proud as a leader in every right, who was such a gift to him, who he loved every day, and knew that his greatest blessing in life was to be her father. And I think each day, he saw God in his loving son-in-law, who he could put up with just a little bit more, and made coffee just right. I know he always saw God in the wonderful people who took care of him at the end of his life.

            I loved him dearly and I knew he loved me. In his wallet he would always keep a picture of me and him, but also, he would keep a picture of me and my grandfather Alfred, who passed when I was five. He knew how hard that was on me, and he has always been, all my life, very reassuring to me.

            What I learned about faith I learned from my parents, but what I learned about persistence in faith, I learned from my grandparents. My grandfather was the most persistent, and the most faithful, and even on this very sad day that we lose him, he would probably tell us to be patient, to pray, to have faith, to do good works, and eventually we will see God in our every day as much as he did when he was with us. 

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