The Life of Mariano (Mike) Alesi
Funeral services will be held at a 10:30 am Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 9, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church for Mariano “Mike” Alesi, 90, who passed away on Monday, October 4, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his family.
Burial will take place in the family plot in Holy Mary, Mother of God Cemetery on Johnston Street.
Mike Alesi, a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, was born on March 29, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan, to immigrant parents from Sicily. The family moved to San Diego, California, following World War II.
Mr. Alesi served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in Lafayette where he met his future wife, Bertha Rose Mouton, a native of Milton. He and Mrs. Alesi married and moved to San Diego, California, then to Alpine, California, where he and his father owned the Log Cabin Restaurant. Mr. Alesi played the accordion and had his own band, the Mike Alesi Band, which performed for wedding receptions and other functions in the San Diego area.
In June of 1957 he and Mrs. Alesi and their four sons moved back to Lafayette to open the first Italian restaurant and to introduce pizza to Acadiana. Many people still remember his first location on the corner of Bertrand Drive and Scott Road. The restaurant has been in its current location on Johnston Street since 1962.
Mr. Alesi was dedicated to his family. Each summer Grandma and Grandpa Alesi took their grandchildren to Six Flags or Astro World. Between planning and reminiscing the vacation trip became a year-long process. Grandpa Alesi rode every ride with his grandchildren.
Mr. Alesi was very friendly and had a wonderful smile and a magnetic charm that attracted people to him. He often greeted people of all ages with “How are you doing, young man (or young lady)?” He was easily recognized wherever he went and enjoyed driving his 1970 gold Firebird or his 1989 white Trans Am.
Mr. Alesi was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Bertha Rose Mouton Alesi. The Alesis were inseparable until her death three months ago. They accompanied each other everywhere. He was also preceded in death by his parents Girolamo Alesi and Marianna Nazione Alesi, his sister Virginia Starling and her husband Cecil Starling, all of San Diego, California.
Survivors include four sons, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Dr. Jerome Alesi, his wife, Linda and their two daughters Claire Alesi Dean and Dr. Erin Alesi; Michael Alesi, his wife Ann, and their children Mari, Lauren Alesi Gaspard, and Joshua Alesi; Thomas Alesi, his wife Paula, and their children Angela Alesi Robichaux and Avery Alesi; Charles Alesi and his daughter Marianna Alesi; and close family friend Amber Schirling. His two great-grandchildren Sophia Rose and Mariano Alesi, children of Mari and Allison Alesi, brought great joy to his heart. Mr. Alesi took family pride in four generations of Mariano Alesis.
Lectors will be his granddaughters Claire Alesi Dean and Lauren Alesi Gaspard. Granddaughters Angela Alesi Robichaux, Marianna Alesi, and Erin Alesi will serve as gift bearers. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Mari, Josh, and Avery Alesi, and his grandsons-in-law Ben Robichaux, Christopher Dean, and Brandon Gaspard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Friday, October 8, 2010, from 2 pm until 8 pm. A rosary will be recited that evening at 6:30 pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday at 8 am until time of service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that charitable contributions be made in the name of Mr. Alesi to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
