Michael DECICCO

6 NOV 1926 - 29 MAR 2013

• BIRTH: 6 NOV 1926, Newark, New Jersey
• DEATH: 29 MAR 2013, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 30 DEC 1950, Newark, New Jersey

1.  Linda Marie DECICCO

INDEX

[N5442] Michael A. DeCicco
November 16, 1927 ~ March 29, 2013

Michael A. DeCicco, 85, of South Bend passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013. He was born on November 16, 1927 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Nicola and late Della (DeVincenzo) DeCicco. On December 30, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey he married the love of his life, Polly (Romeo), who survives. Also surviving are their children: Linda DeCicco, Michele (John) Kovatch, Nick (Sandy) DeCicco, Della (Jim) Dewald, and Michael (Lori) DeCicco; grandchildren: Jessica, Angela (Bill), Erin (Brad), Jake (Jenni), Shelbi, Gabe (Melissa), Micki (Danny), Rocco (Lindsey), Nicola (Danielle), Jimmy, Gina (JR), Vincenzo, Melissa, and Emily; great-grandchildren: Satchel, Benjamin, Lila, Beckett, Harper, Amelia, and Etta. Mike first came to Notre Dame in 1945 as a student. He graduated in 1949, and returned in 1954 to finish his doctoral studies and begin his career as a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University. In 1962 he took his role as head coach of the Notre Dame fencing program. Mike built the program into the perennial power that it is today. Throughout his coaching career, he was named national coach of the year four times, represented the United States in numerous Olympic and World Championship events, and he still holds the record as the winningest coach in Notre Dame history. His most profound impact occurred in the early 1960s, when Notre Dame executive vice president, Rev. Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C., tabbed him for a new position as the chief academic advisor of the Notre Dame student-athletes. Among some of his other accomplishments, he was inducted to the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, held patents for his heating and air conditioning designs, served as a Knight of Malta, and was involved in the early stages of the local chapter of Hospice. However, Mike found his proudest fulfillment in his family. Michael will be missed, but more importantly he will be remembered. Come celebrate his life at Palmer Funeral Home (17131 Cleveland Rd., South Bend) on Tuesday, April 2, from 2-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be officiated by Msgr. William Schooler at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 3. Fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo. (Until we meet again). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to the Christ Child Society, 308 S. Scott Street, PO Box 1286, South Bend, IN 46624 or the DeCicco Fencing Endowment, Athletic Business Office, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Online condolences may be left for the DeCicco family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.