Mike passed away after battling Lymphoma for the past year. He was the son of Sadie (Medici) and John Oliva.
Mike grew up in Patterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Panzer College with a degree in physical education, he played soccer. Soon after graduation he obtained physical therapy certification. He joined the army in 1953 and served at Fitzsimmons until his discharge in 1955.
Mike married Clarice in 1954.
He worked in the Public Health Service that took him to Washington, D.C. outpatient clinic, then to New York City. He earned his Master's in Rehabilitation of the Handicapped at Columbia University. In 1963, he moved the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan so he could attain his Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. In 1965, Mike transferred to Colorado.
Mike's passion included many causes surrounding the elderly and handicapped. In the 1970's he purchased a small apartment building with the primary goal to make it wheelchair acessible. He continued his support of rehabilitation as a participant in the Italian Open, a benefit for Craig Rehabilitation Center. As an Italian-American he proudly wore his Italian garb, ate Italian food and hob-knobbed with other Italian men in the Denver area. During these functions, he played Bocce, eventually ran the tournament and even won a few times.
He enjoyed camping with the family, trout fishing, hiking, italian food, red wine, gardening and exploring Colorado. He was into refurbishing cars from the engine to the exterior. He always had a car in pieces all over the garage, known affectionately as "The White Star Garage", complete with signage. He spent countless weekends on the ski slopes, specifically Geneva Basin and Arapahoe Basin. He hunted antelope, elk, deer, pheasant and goose, all of which Clarice learned to cook.
Mike gained his love of music from his father, John. Guitar music punctuated family dinner gatherings. He played throughout his life and passed this talent to his grandson, Eric. In addition to guitar instrumental music, he enjoyed listening to Dixieland jazz.
In his later years Mike became very active in the Republican Party. As a precinct captain, he spent an unbelievable number of hours knocking on doors, holding meetings, putting together mailings and making phone calls. He continued this work until a few weeks before his death.
Mike is survived by Clarice, his wife of 62 years, daughter Jean Oliva Rasbach(Chuck), grandson Eric Rasbach (Angela), sister Rosemarie Schutte (Henry).
Mike grew up in Patterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Panzer College with a degree in physical education, he played soccer. Soon after graduation he obtained physical therapy certification. He joined the army in 1953 and served at Fitzsimmons until his discharge in 1955.
Mike married Clarice in 1954.
He worked in the Public Health Service that took him to Washington, D.C. outpatient clinic, then to New York City. He earned his Master's in Rehabilitation of the Handicapped at Columbia University. In 1963, he moved the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan so he could attain his Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. In 1965, Mike transferred to Colorado.
Mike's passion included many causes surrounding the elderly and handicapped. In the 1970's he purchased a small apartment building with the primary goal to make it wheelchair acessible. He continued his support of rehabilitation as a participant in the Italian Open, a benefit for Craig Rehabilitation Center. As an Italian-American he proudly wore his Italian garb, ate Italian food and hob-knobbed with other Italian men in the Denver area. During these functions, he played Bocce, eventually ran the tournament and even won a few times.
He enjoyed camping with the family, trout fishing, hiking, italian food, red wine, gardening and exploring Colorado. He was into refurbishing cars from the engine to the exterior. He always had a car in pieces all over the garage, known affectionately as "The White Star Garage", complete with signage. He spent countless weekends on the ski slopes, specifically Geneva Basin and Arapahoe Basin. He hunted antelope, elk, deer, pheasant and goose, all of which Clarice learned to cook.
Mike gained his love of music from his father, John. Guitar music punctuated family dinner gatherings. He played throughout his life and passed this talent to his grandson, Eric. In addition to guitar instrumental music, he enjoyed listening to Dixieland jazz.
In his later years Mike became very active in the Republican Party. As a precinct captain, he spent an unbelievable number of hours knocking on doors, holding meetings, putting together mailings and making phone calls. He continued this work until a few weeks before his death.
Mike is survived by Clarice, his wife of 62 years, daughter Jean Oliva Rasbach(Chuck), grandson Eric Rasbach (Angela), sister Rosemarie Schutte (Henry).
Mike passed away after battling Lymphoma for the past year. He was the son of Sadie (Medici) and John Oliva.
Mike grew up in Patterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Panzer College with a degree in physical education, he played soccer. Soon after graduation he obtained physical therapy certification. He joined the army in 1953 and served at Fitzsimmons until his discharge in 1955.
Mike married Clarice in 1954.
He worked in the Public Health Service that took him to Washington, D.C. outpatient clinic, then to New York City. He earned his Master's in Rehabilitation of the Handicapped at Columbia University. In 1963, he moved the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan so he could attain his Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. In 1965, Mike transferred to Colorado.
Mike's passion included many causes surrounding the elderly and handicapped. In the 1970's he purchased a small apartment building with the primary goal to make it wheelchair acessible. He continued his support of rehabilitation as a participant in the Italian Open, a benefit for Craig Rehabilitation Center. As an Italian-American he proudly wore his Italian garb, ate Italian food and hob-knobbed with other Italian men in the Denver area. During these functions, he played Bocce, eventually ran the tournament and even won a few times.
He enjoyed camping with the family, trout fishing, hiking, italian food, red wine, gardening and exploring Colorado. He was into refurbishing cars from the engine to the exterior. He always had a car in pieces all over the garage, known affectionately as "The White Star Garage", complete with signage. He spent countless weekends on the ski slopes, specifically Geneva Basin and Arapahoe Basin. He hunted antelope, elk, deer, pheasant and goose, all of which Clarice learned to cook.
Mike gained his love of music from his father, John. Guitar music punctuated family dinner gatherings. He played throughout his life and passed this talent to his grandson, Eric. In addition to guitar instrumental music, he enjoyed listening to Dixieland jazz.
In his later years Mike became very active in the Republican Party. As a precinct captain, he spent an unbelievable number of hours knocking on doors, holding meetings, putting together mailings and making phone calls. He continued this work until a few weeks before his death.
Mike is survived by Clarice, his wife of 62 years, daughter Jean Oliva Rasbach(Chuck), grandson Eric Rasbach (Angela), sister Rosemarie Schutte (Henry).
Mike grew up in Patterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Panzer College with a degree in physical education, he played soccer. Soon after graduation he obtained physical therapy certification. He joined the army in 1953 and served at Fitzsimmons until his discharge in 1955.
Mike married Clarice in 1954.
He worked in the Public Health Service that took him to Washington, D.C. outpatient clinic, then to New York City. He earned his Master's in Rehabilitation of the Handicapped at Columbia University. In 1963, he moved the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan so he could attain his Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan. In 1965, Mike transferred to Colorado.
Mike's passion included many causes surrounding the elderly and handicapped. In the 1970's he purchased a small apartment building with the primary goal to make it wheelchair acessible. He continued his support of rehabilitation as a participant in the Italian Open, a benefit for Craig Rehabilitation Center. As an Italian-American he proudly wore his Italian garb, ate Italian food and hob-knobbed with other Italian men in the Denver area. During these functions, he played Bocce, eventually ran the tournament and even won a few times.
He enjoyed camping with the family, trout fishing, hiking, italian food, red wine, gardening and exploring Colorado. He was into refurbishing cars from the engine to the exterior. He always had a car in pieces all over the garage, known affectionately as "The White Star Garage", complete with signage. He spent countless weekends on the ski slopes, specifically Geneva Basin and Arapahoe Basin. He hunted antelope, elk, deer, pheasant and goose, all of which Clarice learned to cook.
Mike gained his love of music from his father, John. Guitar music punctuated family dinner gatherings. He played throughout his life and passed this talent to his grandson, Eric. In addition to guitar instrumental music, he enjoyed listening to Dixieland jazz.
In his later years Mike became very active in the Republican Party. As a precinct captain, he spent an unbelievable number of hours knocking on doors, holding meetings, putting together mailings and making phone calls. He continued this work until a few weeks before his death.
Mike is survived by Clarice, his wife of 62 years, daughter Jean Oliva Rasbach(Chuck), grandson Eric Rasbach (Angela), sister Rosemarie Schutte (Henry).
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