Obituary of Michael D. Occhipinti

Michael D. Occhipinti, Rome, NY Michael D. Occhipinti, 85, of Rome, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Bethany Gardens Skilled Living Center in Rome. He was born in Rome, NY, on April 27, 1931, a son of the late Charles and Concepta (Destito) Occhipinti. Michael was raised and educated in Rome where he graduated from Rome Free Academy. On July 31, 1971 in St. John the Baptist Church in Rome he married the former Donna L. Hildreth. At one time Mr. Occhipinti held a position with Oneida National Bank in Mohawk Acres Shopping Center; the bank was acquired by the Bank of America where he was the Bank Manager for several years prior to his retirement. Mr. Occhipinti had a great passion for Rotary. He was past president of the Rotary International, Rome Rotary Club, and the past District Governor of Rotary district 7150. Mike was at one time the chairman of Rome PolioPlus raising substantial donations to eradicate polio. Mike along with his wife Donna spent many years working with the Gift of Life Program, a program which brought children to the United States for open heart surgery. They also hosted many exchange students with whom they continue to have close relationships with. He was a Boy Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts of America at St. John the Baptist Church. Among his many other memberships he was a member of the Rome Elks Lodge # 96. He was instrumental in the start-up of the Pop Warner programs Fall Tournament. His favorite times were spent with his family; he was often found taking home movies to preserve the many wonderful times that they shared together. Surviving are his wife, Donna; a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Natasha Wilburn of St. Petersburg, Russia; two daughters and a son-in-law, Deborah and Joseph Puccio of Rome, and Dona Occhipinti of Baldwinsville; nine grandchildren, Shannon, Barbara, Elizabeth, Joshua, Alicia, Brianna, Josiah, Noah, and Emily. Also surviving are many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and in-laws. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. at St. John the Baptist Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc. 7751 Merrick Road, Rome, NY on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 4-7 P.M. Memorial contributions may be considered in Michael's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.