Carmen Denisi
July 26, 1920 — July 12, 2016
Mr. Carmen Denisi, age 95 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at West Woods of Niles Nursing Home. His family is grateful for the care and compassion offered by the dedicated and loving staff of West Woods and Heartland Hospice.
He was born on July 26, 1920 in Filadelfia, Italy to Anthony and Catherine (Galati) Denisi, coming to the United States as a two-year-old. He graduated from high school and attended college in Chicago, Illinois. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, and following his tour of duty was discharged as a Flight Officer and a Veteran of World War II. He came to Niles in 1957 and was employed at the former Buchanan plant of Electro-Voice. Carmen designed and developed the idea for the microphone through which 450 million listeners heard those most famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” by Neil Armstrong as he stepped onto the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969. He was later employed at the Niles plant of the National Standard Corporation.
Carmen was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, and was active in Barbershop singing with the South Bend-Mishawaka Valleyaires. He and his wife, Anna, had traveled throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Israel, Europe and China. Carmen enjoyed fishing and working in his home woodshop, often making toys for his grandchildren. His greatest joy was his family, for whom he would do anything.
On October 11, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois he married the former Anna Theresa Lucchesi with whom he celebrated the remarkable sixty-eighth Anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Anna Denisi and their children, Peter (& Maryanne) Denisi of Granger, Indiana, Kathleen (& Bernard Schroeder) Denisi of Haslett, Michigan, and Laura (& Joe) Zweber of Middleton, Wisconsin; and grandchildren, Raymond (& Melody) Kurtis, Ryan Denisi, Marc Denisi, Jakob Zweber, and Sienna Zweber; and nieces and nephews, Donald Albrecht, Rodney (& Debra) Feak, Glen (& Chris) Feak, Karen (& Ron) Root, Mary Ann (& Glenn) Groebli, and Robert (& Carole) Denisi.
Carmen was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Rose Feak and her husband Don Feak, a brother, Frank Denisi and his wife Josephine; and Anna’s sister, Della Albrecht and her husband, Fred Albrecht.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Carmen Denisi will be celebrated at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2016 by the Reverend Christian Johnston of the parish, assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski. Committal Rites will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until processional to the Mass at Saint Mary Catholic Church. Contributions in memory of Carmen may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church, 219 South State Street, Niles, Michigan 49120; or to the Heartland Hospice, 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite 120, Portage, Michigan 49024.