NASCO, Michael (Mike), Sr. *

Indian School Mortuary Scottsdale, Arizona Mike Nasco, Sr. (February 22, 1903 ~ October 23, 2010) "The Man From Spinoso" passed away peacefully at the age of 107 on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. Born Michele Nasca, in the small town of Spinozo, Italy on February 22, 1903, young Michael immigrated to America at the age of 8 years old with his mother, younger brother and two older sisters, arriving in the Port of New York (Ellis Island) on November 12, 1912. In 1920 Mike moved from Little Italy in Lower Manhattan to Wickliffe, Ohio to work in the then thriving and heavily industrial Cleveland, Ohio. On January 21, 1927 he became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States of America. He married Clara (Concetta) Sabette, who at the time was also living in Wickliffe but originally from East Cleveland. They were married at the Holy Rosary Church in Murry Hill, Ohio on February 16, 1922. This union with the "love of his life" would last more than 65 years and produced 5 children: Josephine, Dominic, Rose Marie, Ronald and Michael, tens of grandchildren, scores and scores of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and countless business and personal friends and associates. He was affectionately referred to by all as "The Chief," a name given to him more than 50 years ago by his brother-in-law, and life-long buddy, Louis Siciliano. An industrious and hard-working man, in the 1920s and 1930s he quickly mastered the art of tool and die making, which became his "trade," and then began honing his entrepreneurial and business skills. In the years following World War II, after a hand full of smaller business experiences, he set out on the ambitious task of building the then-largest commercial building in the township of Wickliffe, an automobile dealership. This enterprise would become the opus magnum of his business career and foster his retirement in his late 50s – so that he could dedicate the following 50+ years of his life to his family and friends. During those years he also pursued his life-long hobby, inventing things - and at the age of 98 received his first US Patent for one of his inventions. He has positively influenced the four generations of those in his family and inspired all who knew him with his generosity, compassion for his fellow man, zest for life and dedication to his family and friends. We will all truly miss this "larger than life" role model. He is survived by his oldest son Dominic, oldest living daughter Rose Marie, and sons Ronald and Michael. A visitation will be held at the Messinger Mortuary, 7601 Indian School Road on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 9:00am until 10:00am followed by a Memorial Service and he will then join the side of his beloved wife Clara where they will once again be together