In Loving Memory of...Michael (Mike) William Ucci1989-2007: From Mrs. Burns / FBLA Advisor

MICHAEL WILLIAM UCCI (OBITUARY)

On January 27, 2007, Michael William Ucci, age 17, died at the scene of an automobile accident in front of West High in Tracy, California. At the time of his death, he was a junior at West High and lived with his parents, Jill and Ken Ucci, and sister, Marie Ucci, in Tracy. Marie was seriously injured in the same accident and remains hospitalized.

Michael was born in Mountain View, California and during his lifetime resided in Morgan Hill and Tracy. He had attended Poet-Christian and Wanda Hirsch Elementary Schools, Williams Middle School and was a junior at Merrill F. West High School.

He was a bright young man with a promising future, held strong family values, had an exceptionally close relationship with his sister Marie, was athletic, a leader and loved by many. The outpouring community generosity and expression of what Michael meant to so many has been overwhelming and heartwarming to his family.

When he was a sophomore, Michael traveled to Holland with People to People International, where he played basketball on the USA team. Because of his academic and leadership skills, he was recently invited to be an ambassador to a National Leadership Conference in Washington DC to observe our federal government in action. He would have been most proud of this achievement and would have loved the journey. He was preparing for the SAT and very much looking forward to college and all the future might hold.

He played basketball through CYO and in high school. He was a member of FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, and loved working out at the gym and going to Starbuck’s with his friends. He and Marie were more than siblings; they were best friends and constant companions. The affect he had on others is most evident through the many, many expressions on the internet – his SMILE was constant and contagious. He was a good friend to many. His father noted he was a “pied piper” of sorts – a happy individual who loved listening to and walking with others and led many. His mother believes he has a true gift in their lives.

Michael had a large family that was most important to him. From his grandparents to the youngest cousins, he embraced them all and loved the family traditions. One of his favorite traditions was vacationing every summer with his cousins at Sveadal. In addition to his parents, Jill and Ken Ucci and his sister, Marie, he is survived by his grandmother, Donna Manfre’ of Watsonville, numerous aunts and uncles and many, many cousins – to whom he was very close. Predeceased grandparents include Sebastian and Mary Ucci who were from San Jose and Bill Manfre’ of Watsonville. His life will be celebrated in Tracy and he will lay in rest in Watsonville.

Monday, January 29, 2007

From Mrs. Burns / FBLA Advisor

Jason It is with somber heart that I write this to you and your family. Michael was a valued member of the FBLA at West High School, as too are Marie, Justin and Brie Cardoza. As co-advisor to the organization, I can only say how taken asunder I feel by this horrific tragedy. My own children, ages 9 and 5, know Mike, Marie and Justin from their FBLA involvement…Mike carrying my 5 year old son on his shoulders and showing him how to wash cars, and all of them accepting my 9 year old daughter as one of their own walking in the homecoming parade. FBLA customarily meets Tuesday and we are not foregoing our meeting tomorrow, but have changed our agenda to include specifically…ways in which we may give back to the Ucci and Baker families in such as way as their children have given to us. We plan to discuss the possibility of establishing a meal schedule, a yard maintenance schedule, a dog walking schedule, a house cleaning schedule….anything that we could possibly do that would allow you and your family to concentrate on what truly matters at this time rather than daily duties. I do believe that campus people have attempted to contact yours and other family spokespeople to gain answers to these questions, but I am asking for your guidance directly. Our interest and ability are only limited by what we are asked to do…so please feel free to make a list, no matter how long it may be, as to what we can do collectively and/or individually to show our support to your family. Along with the students/members of FBLA, I too am a local long time Tracy resident and will devote any and all time needed to your family. Mike dreamed of becoming FBLA President next year, his Senior year…I am truly at a loss for words other than that. Please let me know what your thoughts are on this matter. Blessings Lisa-Marie Burns School to Careers Department Marketing, Intro. to Business, Computer Literacy West High School FBLA Advisor lmburns@tusd.net