Michael J. Coletti, 71, of North Providence RI, died peacefully with his wife by his side on April 1, 2020 as a result of a long illness with frontotemporal dementia. He was born on January 23, 1949 to Rose (De Angelis) Coletti and James Coletti. Michael grew up and spent much of his life working on the family farm in North Providence. The hard-work ethic instilled in him fueled his strength for his many sports activities, including baseball, basketball and his most loved –football- at North Providence High School, where he graduated in 1967. Michael was voted MVP in football and served as Social Committee Co-Chair. He then attended Southern Connecticut State College where he played defensive back on the football team for four years.
Michael returned to North Providence after college and taught physical education at every school in the town over his 36-year teaching career. He retired in 2007 having touched the lives of 11,265 students and many more through his 22 years of coaching. He was a great football player and an even better coach which led to the honor of being inducted into the North Providence Sports Hall of Fame. He is remembered by his colleagues as a kind man who always had a smile on his face.

Michael was an integral part of the North Providence community. He loved running into and catching up with former students and colleagues. From 1971–2016 he played basketball at Ricci School every Tuesday night with friends. Michael was an integral part of the North Providence community. He loved running into and catching up with former students and colleagues which occurred quite frequently in his daily life. From 1971–2016 he played basketball at Ricci School every Tuesday night with friends. Michael did things that others may not even have considered through sheer determination, physical strength and mindset. He became an example of the ability to exceed other’s expectations as long as you work hard.

Michael was a dedicated and loving father and stepfather. Sunday mornings with his three children were filled with as many doughboys as anyone could eat. He was an expert at doing an impersonation of Donald Duck’s voice. On Christmas, he would individually wrap the stocking stuffers inside each stocking. There were also so many adventures on road trips, riding in the tractor bucket, camping trips in the green tent, and cooking together at home. With his stepdaughter, Erin, he enjoyed her backyard barbecues and beating her often at bean bag toss.

Michael developed a knack for cooking and enjoyed making meals to share with his family. He perfected his apple pie recipe as well as red sauce and pizza. To this day, his children make his recipes in their own kitchens. Lasagna and pizzelles are some of their favorites. They continue the tradition of baking fun shaped pancakes for their own children.

Michael was also a loving, caring husband and best friend to his wife Lynda. In 1991, they met at Mustang Sally's, both out dancing, Lynda with friends and Mike with his cousin. Mike took notice of Lynda, thinking she was the cutest and asked her to dance. Of course she said yes. In later years, Michael surprised everyone in the family by taking dance classes with his wife-to-be and being quite good at it. His love for Lynda was deep and they were married on August 11, 2001 surrounded by family and friends.

Michael loved being a grandfather. He took much joy in playing trucks, games, sports, and showing the farm to this new generation. In the later years of his life, he held a new grandchild in his arms and welcomed another grandchild with his namesake as his middle name (Xander Michael). He relished smiling and laughing along with all of them.

Michael’s illness did not stand in the way of enjoying time with his loved ones during the last years of his life. He endeared himself to the people at the adult day programs he attended. He also remained steadfast in his routine walk, waving to everyone as they drove or walked by. Even as he entered the final stage of dementia he was still smiling and always had that sparkly twinkle in his eye. He and Lynda forged friendships with the people who cared for him at the Village at Waterman Lake where his nurses often commented on what a great man he was.

Michael leaves his wife Lynda Nagle; his daughter Cathy Coletti and son-in-law Adam Ward; his daughter Karen Kenney and son-in-law Justin Kenney; his son Steven Coletti and daughter-in-law Stacy Coletti; his stepdaughter Erin Nagle; his grandchildren Mason Steven Coletti, age 12, Maddox James Coletti, age 10, Karen Alexis Ward, age 4, and Xander Michael Kenney, age 3. He is also survived by three sisters: Claudette Bardsley and brother-in-law Allen Bardsley; Maryjane DiMarzio and brother-in-law Ralph DiMarzio; Rosemary Feeney and brother-in-law Larry Feeney, and life-long friends Dennis and Linda Ziroli. In addition, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. A Catholic celebration of life will be announced at a later date when it is safe for people to be in large groups again.