Obituary of Michael Nicholas Smaldon

Michael Nicholas Smaldon Michael Nicholas Smaldon, 86, passed away peacefully at Faxton St. Lukes Health Care Center, New Hartford NY, with his loving family by his side on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Michael was born in Rome NY, on December 10, 1927, son of the late James and Mary Tardugno Smaldon. On October 8, 1949, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Nancy Campanaro Smaldon, affectionately known as Dolly, in St. John the Baptist Church. She passed away December 7, 2013. Michael was educated in Rome City Schools. He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Ft. Dix, NJ. He was honorably discharged after his brother James was killed in action in World War II. Upon returning home, Michael began a career in the Bricklayers Masons and Plasterers International Union. He was employed by Hopkins and Reilly, B.S. McCarey, Thomaselli Construction and Calnero Construction. He was the bricklayer foreman on many jobs for these companies. While being the foreman for Calnero Construction, Calnero and Smaldon formed a business partnership outside of the construction industry. He was known to many as one of the best bricklayer craftsman in the area and often referred to as "Iron Mike". His masonry expertise can be seen at many churches, office buildings, schools and medical buildings throughout the state. In addition to these buildings, Michael worked many side jobs on homes throughout the city of Rome and surrounding area, including his beautiful stone work,that may be seen at Bush Funeral Home. After his retirement, Michael continued to stay active managing his many rental properties throughout the city. He continued to do so until the time of his passing. During the winters he and his family loved vacationing and working at his brother-in-law's motel, The Heathwood, in Miami Beach, Florida. Michael had a very strong faith attending mass every day. He enjoyed going to all of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Michael relaxed with his family at his camp on Lake Delta. He was a member of Frank J. Stetzko Post, VFW, Life Member of Rome Elks Lodge 96, Moose Club, Toccolano Club, American Legion Smith Post 24, Polish Home, and past president of the Galliano Club and Rome American Little League. Michael is survived by his beloved family, who referred to him as Poppy Mike, two daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Paul Jensen; Cindi and Rowe Wheeler; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Donna Smaldon all of Rome; nine cherished grandchildren, Brandi, Ashley and Jamie Smaldon and her fiancé Ralph Vacca, ShelliAnn and Michael Jensen, Rowe James, James and Michael Wheeler, all of Rome; Cori and Josh Purdy and three precious great grandchildren, Joshua, Nicholas and Zachary Purdy, all of Eielson AFB, Alaska. Also surviving are two loving brothers, Anthony "Curly" Smaldon and Ralph Smaldon; sister-in-law, Amelia Ritz all of Rome, and a brother-in-law, Peter Campanaro of Boynton Beach, Florida and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his loving wife Dolly of 64 years; four brothers, four sisters-in-law, Edward and Elizabeth Smaldon; Frank and Catherine Smaldon; infant James Smaldon, Cpl. James Smaldon, Jackie Smaldon, Jeanette Smaldon, brother-in-law John "Skippy" Ritz, and one sister and brother-in-law Maryrose and Romeo Pouliot. The family would like to express a special thank you to Poppy Mike's caregivers, Lucy, Carol, Dawn and Ashley, his physicians; Dr. K. Potluri, Dr. E. Wassel, Dr. B. Casanova and Dr. T. Mathew for their kindness and compassion throughout his illness. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Father Paul Angelicchio, Father James Tormey, Father Robert Kelly, Father Phillip Hearn and Father Joseph Salerno for their prayers, special visits and thoughtfulness. Funeral Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio as celebrant. Entombment for Michael and Dolly will be in the spring in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., on Wednesday from 3:30 -7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY, 13440, St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church 1807 Bedford St, Rome, NY, 13440 or St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church 200 N. James St., Rome, NY, 13440. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com