In Loving Memory of...Michael (Mike) William Ucci1989-2007: From Linda Silva (cousin)

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 Linda Silva (cousin)

I am still having such a hard time believing this tragedy actually happened. Jill, you and Ken are living every parent's nightmare. Our prayers and love are with you and we are praying for Marie, of course. I remember when our kids were teenagers, i worried everytime they left the house. You are where, except for the grace of God, all parents could be. You should, when the shock and disbelief dim, be very proud of the beautiful son, inside and out, you raised together. It is clear from the emails here that Mike was much loved and respected by his peers. That says alot about him, and his friends too. Marie, please, please be strong and pull thru this the best way you can. Know you have a great big support group out here pulling for all of you, and your friends Brett and Justin. It says in the article that excessive speed was involved, so a lesson to all, not just teenagers, to be more careful. Lives can change forever in the blink of an eye. Jill, Ken and Marie, the extended family that my son Jason wrote about above are all praying for you and wish there were something we could do to ease this for you. i realize there is nothing we can do but love all of you.

Love, Linda