Michele Niro

Mr. Michele Niro, 89, of Fort Myers, Florida, former resident of Milford, MA, passed away on February 3rd after a long illness. He was under hospice care and remained at his residence, as he wished, under the care of Hope Hospice and his wife, who was at his bedside.

Michele is survived by his wife, Dawnette (Costantino) Niro, and his son, Michael Niro, of Sarasota, Florida. His daughter Rita Niro passed away in 2019. Michele, better known as “Papa Mike,” was born in Pietra Montecorvino, Foggia, Italy. He was the son of the late Guiseppe and Angelina (Carpinelli) Niro and lived in Milford since 1956.

Michele became a US Citizen in 1963. He was an amazing Italian cook, making his own bread, pasta, pizza, and more. He enjoyed teaching the grandchildren to make pizza, and he and his wife loved entertaining and cooking for family at large gatherings at his home in Milford. He loved gardening and had a beautiful vegetable and herb garden, when living in Milford. He also loved traveling and vacationed in Aruba, Ogunquit, and the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Michele and his wife of 34 years moved to Florida in 2011. An avid Red Sox fan, he and his wife were able to attend the spring training in Fort Myers. His devoted mini-Schnauzer, Ziti Marinara, was always on his lap. He loved animals and nature. His pacemaker will be donated to a veterinarian teaching hospital, according to his request.

Michele was a member of the Foggiano Club and Italian Cardplayers at Hoboken Club in Milford and served on Milford’s Quincentennial committee. Mr. Niro worked as a carpet installer for Stone’s Furniture and later worked for Rotman’s Furniture in Worcester, MA. In 1994, after a work-related spinal injury, he retired.

Mr. Niro was predeceased by three brothers, Leonardo, Tony and Delio and 2 sisters Elena Macchiarola and Caroline (Disabito) Niro of Foggia, Italy. He leaves his stepdaughter Tracey Wright, stepson Harris Tredeau II (deceased in 2012); step grandchildren Taylor Gordon, US army veteran Nick Gordon (deceased 2016), Kelsie (Tredeau) Kaye, and Max Tredeau; one great-grandson, Calvin Harris Kaye. His in-laws were deceased, Pat and Mary Costantino. Close cousin Leo Niro and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends both in Fort Myers and Milford.

Funeral service will be held on SATURDAY (March 1st) at Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA. Visitation will be from 10:30am  to11:30am followed by Prayer services at 11:30am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas TX,75284-0692

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