Obituary of Michael Antonio Sgobbo
Michael Antonio Sgobbo, 84, died on Saturday September 30th 2023, surrounded by his family in Charleston, South Carolina.
While he eventually lost his accent, Mike was proud to tell you he was from Boston, Massachusetts, graduating from Somerville High School in 1957. From 1955-1963, he served in the Massachusetts (182nd Infantry Regiment) and Connecticut (43rd Infantry Division) National Guard, with the former founded in 1636 under the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He frequently referenced being an original “minuteman”.
While enjoying a summer trip to Cape Cod as a young man with friends, he met his beloved wife, Barbara Ann Campitello Sgobbo, and they remained side by side for 56 years.
He began his retail management career with Bradlees in New London, Connecticut. Mike’s loyal and successful career in department store management at Sibley’s found him raising a family of 3 children in Central and Western New York from Rochester to Buffalo and finally settling in Syracuse, New York. After retiring from retail, Mike’s compassion, patience and genuine care for others lent itself to his retirement job as a preschool teacher assistant in the Cicero-North Syracuse School District. Mike had a passion for military history, making volunteerism on the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Charleston, SC his favorite job of all.
Always an adventurer, Mike loved to travel. He saw no obstacle in his way that could curb his determination to take his family anywhere. He loved to ski, but hated the snow. The beach was always his favorite though. In his compelling, persistent way, he convinced Barb to move to Charleston, SC where he could put his feet in the sand and stare at the surf. But he always remained a Syracuse basketball fan. Above all else, Mike’s family is his proudest accomplishment.
In addition to his wife Barb, Mike is survived by his 3 children Michael C. Sgobbo (Michelle), Jerry Sgobbo (Seema), Nicole Cooper (Charlie) and 10 grandchildren Taylor, Shannen, Luca, Marco, Neely, Lucy, Elizabeth, Isabella, Michael, and MJ, his brothers Anthony (Maunie), John and sister Rose Zannino (Vinnie). Mike is blessed with many loving nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents Antonio and Leonarda (Ferraro) of Italy, half-brother Ralph Sgobbo, and half-sisters Nicoletta Visconie, Theresa Buonapane and Helen Dore.
A service will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Folly Beach, SC at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Coast Guard Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. secure.coastguardfoundation.org or stjude.org/donate
