MICHAEL BARRETO

Michael Barreto, age 95, of Geneva, was reunited with his loving wife, Violet on Thursday, December 1, 2022

Michael was born in Brooklyn, New York to loving parents Albert and Olga (Manderkern) Barreto on February 8, 1927.

He grew up in a number of different cities in New York attending local schools.  

Michael had a friend in New York who set him up a blind date with a woman named Violet. The blind date proved to be the beginning of a lifetime when they realized that they had found their lifetime partner. Michael and Violet were united in marriage on an Indian reservation in Parker, Arizona in September of 1975. Michael had 3 children from a previous marriage, but the only his son, Doug was still at home.  Michael and Violet were blessed with two children, John and Dee. Shortly before the wedding, the family moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona and moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1984.

Michael worked at several jobs teaching driver’s education for close to five years; taking his hands and teaching younger ones to be comfortable behind the wheel. He worked in merchandise for Klein’s in New York, and ultimately ended up working in the New York Sanitation Department. He worked his way up from a beginning job as a garbage man to an administration position.  His work ethic never grew old, even to his retirement in 1974.

While Michael was living in Arizona with his family, he was a loyal member of The Knights of Columbus and a member of the Elk’s Club in Arizona, where he loved to pull the numbers from the bingo cage while his wife was having a blast playing the game.

Michael and his wife loved to travel. The couple went on many cruises to a variety of different places including: the Panama Canal, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and their last cruise was on the Mississippi River. Michael’s favorite was the Alaskan cruise. The scenery was breath taking and he was introduced to salmon on that trip, which he and his family grew to love. The couple went on different trips besides their cruises, but the sea voyage was the most exciting to them.

Michael was one of the first residents at Greenfields of Geneva when it was built in 2012. He loved the time that he got to spend with the new people that followed him into the residence. Michael was a very outgoing individual, and was in a group of men who would play cards every week. He lived a full life regardless of where he was residing; he always made the best of any situation, bringing joy everywhere that he went.  He loved watching anything Western at any time; you would find him glued to whatever device it was playing on. He was also a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. While at Greenfields, Michael and Violet helped to raise money so that the wait staff and the workers would have a blessed Christmas; as blessed as their own. Michael loved his children and grandchildren and treasured many lovely moments with all of them.

Michael is survived by his daughters: Dee (Tim Prebil) Withey, and her children: Michael Withey, Morgan (Jacob) Sheehan; Cathy Barreto; his sons: John Barreto, Steve Barreto, and Doug Barreto, along with Doug’s children: Katie and Tyler Barreto. He was also survived by many cousins and a community of friends.

Michael now joins his loving wife at the pearly gates, Violet Barreto; as well as his parents, Albert and Olga Barreto.

Michael’s family will hold a memorial service for Michael and Violet on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 12-4 P.M. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Michael’s name. Donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation at www.cancer.org  or to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Tributes may be posted to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.