In Loving Memory of...Michael (Mike) William Ucci1989-2007: From Erin Latour

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.

Friday, February 2, 2007

From Erin Latour

Hello, My name is Erin, and I am also from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. I'm a cousin of Justin Baker. What happend that night was very unfortunate and no one should have to deal with that. I don't know Mike personally, but by reading some of the coments that friends & family left him, I know for a fact he was a great guy. We see these tragedies all the time, and we don't realize that it could happen to one of us. Take the time to tell the people you care about how important they are to you. Justin, I know it's been a few years since I've seen you, or talked to you for that matter, but I love you and I miss you sooo much. To everyone who has been affected by this, you're all in my prayers. I wish the best of luck with everything in the future, and to the the Ucci family, everything will be alright. He's looking down and smiling right now because he can see everyone who loves him. Stay strong & God Bless. Erin <3