Michael Mantenuto, a former actor and college hockey player who played Jack O'Callahan in the 2004 Disney film "Miracle," died Monday, April 24, 2017. He was 35. The death was announced in a news release by Col. Guillaume "Will" Beaurpere, the group commander of the U.S. Army's 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Mantenuto joined the military after his acting career ended. The release said Mantenuto was found dead in Iowa by the Des Moines Police Department. "Those of you that knew Mike will remember him for his passionate love for his family and his commitment to the health of the force," the release said.
Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, was cast in the role of the fun-loving O’Callahan in the film that starred Kurt Russell. "Miracle" tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team’s come-from-behind victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union, a game known as the Miracle on Ice. After beating the Russians, the U.S. team defeated Finland to win the gold medal. His other movies included "Dirtbags" (2006) and "Surfer, Dude" (2008). Mantenuto, who was born May 13, 1981, in Holliston, Massachusetts, is survived by his wife, the former Kati Vienneau; a daughter, Ava; a son, Leo; his father, Ed; and three sisters.
Contributor: Karen Fisher (49293104)
Michael J. Mantenuto, 35, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 by suicide. Born in Natick, MA, he was the son of Kerry Barton Lee of Lunenburg, MA, and Edward Mantenuto of Holliston, MA and was married to Kati Vienneau of Fort Lewis, WA and Medford, MA. They had two children Ava and Leo. Michael is survived by three sisters, and their families; Katie Mantenuto and Will Thomas, and son Andrew of Lunenburg, Meggan Mantenuto Hope, Dave Hope and their children Lily and Landon, and Lauren Mantenuto of Boulder, CO. Michael also leaves behind two aunts, several cousins and their families.
Michael’s life was far too short, but in his 35 years, he lived BIG and he lived fully! Starting at age 3, his father put him on ice skates, and from then on hockey remained an important part of his life. From youth hockey to elite teams, to Holliston High School, Univ of Maine, and finally to coaching his son, Leo, in youth hockey when Mike was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Besides hockey, Mike went on to be chosen to play the role of Jack O’Callahan, in the Disney movie’s production of “Miracle”, chronicling the unprecedented event of the Americans beating the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Mike then spent a couple of years in the “Hollywood” scene exploring acting options, but that was not to be. He went on to enlist in the Army and became part of the Special Forces as a Green Beret. Ultimately, what gave Mike the most inner satisfaction and passion was devoting his life to helping other soldiers who struggled with mental health, PTSD, and addiction issues.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4th from 4:00-8:00p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Rt. 16) www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com. A gathering to celebrate Michael’s life will take place on Friday, May 5th from 12:30-4:00p.m at the Crystal Room, 49 Cedar St. (Rt. 85) in Milford with a memorial service, followed by a light luncheon and closing with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s honor to MISSION 22, an organization started a few years ago by a Special Forces veteran, to raise awareness, and support programs for soldiers who were committing suicide at the rate of 22 per day. Please click on the link if you wish to donate:
https://mission22.networkforgood.com/projects/19677-mission-22
Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, was cast in the role of the fun-loving O’Callahan in the film that starred Kurt Russell. "Miracle" tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team’s come-from-behind victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union, a game known as the Miracle on Ice. After beating the Russians, the U.S. team defeated Finland to win the gold medal. His other movies included "Dirtbags" (2006) and "Surfer, Dude" (2008). Mantenuto, who was born May 13, 1981, in Holliston, Massachusetts, is survived by his wife, the former Kati Vienneau; a daughter, Ava; a son, Leo; his father, Ed; and three sisters.
Contributor: Karen Fisher (49293104)
Michael J. Mantenuto, 35, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 by suicide. Born in Natick, MA, he was the son of Kerry Barton Lee of Lunenburg, MA, and Edward Mantenuto of Holliston, MA and was married to Kati Vienneau of Fort Lewis, WA and Medford, MA. They had two children Ava and Leo. Michael is survived by three sisters, and their families; Katie Mantenuto and Will Thomas, and son Andrew of Lunenburg, Meggan Mantenuto Hope, Dave Hope and their children Lily and Landon, and Lauren Mantenuto of Boulder, CO. Michael also leaves behind two aunts, several cousins and their families.
Michael’s life was far too short, but in his 35 years, he lived BIG and he lived fully! Starting at age 3, his father put him on ice skates, and from then on hockey remained an important part of his life. From youth hockey to elite teams, to Holliston High School, Univ of Maine, and finally to coaching his son, Leo, in youth hockey when Mike was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Besides hockey, Mike went on to be chosen to play the role of Jack O’Callahan, in the Disney movie’s production of “Miracle”, chronicling the unprecedented event of the Americans beating the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Mike then spent a couple of years in the “Hollywood” scene exploring acting options, but that was not to be. He went on to enlist in the Army and became part of the Special Forces as a Green Beret. Ultimately, what gave Mike the most inner satisfaction and passion was devoting his life to helping other soldiers who struggled with mental health, PTSD, and addiction issues.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4th from 4:00-8:00p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Rt. 16) www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com. A gathering to celebrate Michael’s life will take place on Friday, May 5th from 12:30-4:00p.m at the Crystal Room, 49 Cedar St. (Rt. 85) in Milford with a memorial service, followed by a light luncheon and closing with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s honor to MISSION 22, an organization started a few years ago by a Special Forces veteran, to raise awareness, and support programs for soldiers who were committing suicide at the rate of 22 per day. Please click on the link if you wish to donate:
https://mission22.networkforgood.com/projects/19677-mission-22
Michael Mantenuto, a former actor and college hockey player who played Jack O'Callahan in the 2004 Disney film "Miracle," died Monday, April 24, 2017. He was 35. The death was announced in a news release by Col. Guillaume "Will" Beaurpere, the group commander of the U.S. Army's 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Mantenuto joined the military after his acting career ended. The release said Mantenuto was found dead in Iowa by the Des Moines Police Department. "Those of you that knew Mike will remember him for his passionate love for his family and his commitment to the health of the force," the release said.
Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, was cast in the role of the fun-loving O’Callahan in the film that starred Kurt Russell. "Miracle" tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team’s come-from-behind victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union, a game known as the Miracle on Ice. After beating the Russians, the U.S. team defeated Finland to win the gold medal. His other movies included "Dirtbags" (2006) and "Surfer, Dude" (2008). Mantenuto, who was born May 13, 1981, in Holliston, Massachusetts, is survived by his wife, the former Kati Vienneau; a daughter, Ava; a son, Leo; his father, Ed; and three sisters.
Contributor: Karen Fisher (49293104)
Michael J. Mantenuto, 35, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 by suicide. Born in Natick, MA, he was the son of Kerry Barton Lee of Lunenburg, MA, and Edward Mantenuto of Holliston, MA and was married to Kati Vienneau of Fort Lewis, WA and Medford, MA. They had two children Ava and Leo. Michael is survived by three sisters, and their families; Katie Mantenuto and Will Thomas, and son Andrew of Lunenburg, Meggan Mantenuto Hope, Dave Hope and their children Lily and Landon, and Lauren Mantenuto of Boulder, CO. Michael also leaves behind two aunts, several cousins and their families.
Michael’s life was far too short, but in his 35 years, he lived BIG and he lived fully! Starting at age 3, his father put him on ice skates, and from then on hockey remained an important part of his life. From youth hockey to elite teams, to Holliston High School, Univ of Maine, and finally to coaching his son, Leo, in youth hockey when Mike was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Besides hockey, Mike went on to be chosen to play the role of Jack O’Callahan, in the Disney movie’s production of “Miracle”, chronicling the unprecedented event of the Americans beating the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Mike then spent a couple of years in the “Hollywood” scene exploring acting options, but that was not to be. He went on to enlist in the Army and became part of the Special Forces as a Green Beret. Ultimately, what gave Mike the most inner satisfaction and passion was devoting his life to helping other soldiers who struggled with mental health, PTSD, and addiction issues.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4th from 4:00-8:00p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Rt. 16) www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com. A gathering to celebrate Michael’s life will take place on Friday, May 5th from 12:30-4:00p.m at the Crystal Room, 49 Cedar St. (Rt. 85) in Milford with a memorial service, followed by a light luncheon and closing with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s honor to MISSION 22, an organization started a few years ago by a Special Forces veteran, to raise awareness, and support programs for soldiers who were committing suicide at the rate of 22 per day. Please click on the link if you wish to donate:
https://mission22.networkforgood.com/projects/19677-mission-22
Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, was cast in the role of the fun-loving O’Callahan in the film that starred Kurt Russell. "Miracle" tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team’s come-from-behind victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union, a game known as the Miracle on Ice. After beating the Russians, the U.S. team defeated Finland to win the gold medal. His other movies included "Dirtbags" (2006) and "Surfer, Dude" (2008). Mantenuto, who was born May 13, 1981, in Holliston, Massachusetts, is survived by his wife, the former Kati Vienneau; a daughter, Ava; a son, Leo; his father, Ed; and three sisters.
Contributor: Karen Fisher (49293104)
Michael J. Mantenuto, 35, passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 by suicide. Born in Natick, MA, he was the son of Kerry Barton Lee of Lunenburg, MA, and Edward Mantenuto of Holliston, MA and was married to Kati Vienneau of Fort Lewis, WA and Medford, MA. They had two children Ava and Leo. Michael is survived by three sisters, and their families; Katie Mantenuto and Will Thomas, and son Andrew of Lunenburg, Meggan Mantenuto Hope, Dave Hope and their children Lily and Landon, and Lauren Mantenuto of Boulder, CO. Michael also leaves behind two aunts, several cousins and their families.
Michael’s life was far too short, but in his 35 years, he lived BIG and he lived fully! Starting at age 3, his father put him on ice skates, and from then on hockey remained an important part of his life. From youth hockey to elite teams, to Holliston High School, Univ of Maine, and finally to coaching his son, Leo, in youth hockey when Mike was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Besides hockey, Mike went on to be chosen to play the role of Jack O’Callahan, in the Disney movie’s production of “Miracle”, chronicling the unprecedented event of the Americans beating the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Mike then spent a couple of years in the “Hollywood” scene exploring acting options, but that was not to be. He went on to enlist in the Army and became part of the Special Forces as a Green Beret. Ultimately, what gave Mike the most inner satisfaction and passion was devoting his life to helping other soldiers who struggled with mental health, PTSD, and addiction issues.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4th from 4:00-8:00p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Rt. 16) www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com. A gathering to celebrate Michael’s life will take place on Friday, May 5th from 12:30-4:00p.m at the Crystal Room, 49 Cedar St. (Rt. 85) in Milford with a memorial service, followed by a light luncheon and closing with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s honor to MISSION 22, an organization started a few years ago by a Special Forces veteran, to raise awareness, and support programs for soldiers who were committing suicide at the rate of 22 per day. Please click on the link if you wish to donate:
https://mission22.networkforgood.com/projects/19677-mission-22
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