Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, Michael Thomas Ossola, passed through the veil early morning Saturday August 26th, 2023, at his home in Riverton, Utah.
Michael was born on June 21, 1939, in Wilmar, California (San Gabriel Valley.) He was the third of four children and the only son born to Anthony Frank and Alfreda Stapula Ossola. When he was a child they moved to Salinas, California. He was a busy boy and had many interests.
Michael had a horse named Rabbit, played in Little League, and worked at his family’s professional laundry service companies; Great Western and Sanitary. The laundry serviced hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and cloth diaper service. Before his freshman year in High School, they moved to Covina and Michael attended Monrovia Arcadia Duarte (MAD) High School. The family then moved back to Salinas and he graduated from Salinas High School in 1957. While in High School his girlfriend and her family introduced him to the Church. That fall he attended UC Berkeley. Shortly after starting college, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized November 2nd, 1957. He has always said that was the best decision ever of his life!
As he had decided early on, he did not want to take over the laundry business, especially cleaning out any stuck diapers in the machines. Michael worked two jobs, put himself through college and grad school and earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering, at BYU and USC, respectively. Michael married and moved to Orange County, California and raised two sons, Anthony Dean and Timothy John Ossola. Later he married Susan Licari and raised four children Becky, Michael, Mark, and Emma in the Palmdale/Lancaster, California area and Riverton, Utah.
He worked for Honeywell and Rockwell for the majority of his career working in the aerospace industry. The last 10 years as a contract engineer. Toward the end of his career, he and Susan opened two LDS bookstores in Lancaster and Bakersfield, California. Michael built three commercial buildings, one of which housed the Lancaster bookstore and to lease space to other businesses. He loved to build. He built two pools, four balconies and did lots of room remodels.
He also built stages when we held our concert series in the bookstores and developed a line of LDS clothing and hats that he sold to other retailers. Michael was a busy man and was often referred to as the energizer bunny.
Michael was a devoted son, brother and family man. He loved to serve. He always volunteered to clean the meetinghouse, serve at the cannery and was a faithful ministering brother. He drove the missionaries wherever they needed to go, visited the sick and helped many people.
Michael was a Stake Missionary, Bishopric member, Young Men’s President, Scoutmaster for 13 years, Youth/Adult Sunday School teacher and served in the Los Angeles, Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain Temples for many years, having just left service on May 25th, 2023. He loved to especially take his family members' names to the Temple. Michael was always busy helping others and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Susan, daughters Rebecca (Johnathan) Edwards of Redondo Beach, California and Emma of Riverton, Utah and sons Michael of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mark of Riverton, Utah, Tim of Denver, Colorado, Dean (Amy) of Aliso Viejo, California. Grandchildren: Micajah, Mikayla, Matthew Edwards; Lauren (Parker) Johnson; Jon Michael (Paige), Andrew, Hunter, Spencer (Holly), and Luke Ossola. Great-grandchildren, Grey and Calvin Johnson. His sister Reena Nelson of Riverton, Utah and her sons, Julian (Rachel) Nelson of Vancouver, Washington and Tony (Michelle) Nelson of Novato, California. Two nieces, Treena Tannahill of Salinas, California and Tami Hendrickson of Lompoc, California.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two older sisters Tony Ann Jacob and Sheila Smith, brother-in-law Ron Nelson and niece Rhonda Nelson Clayton.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Castlewood Ward, 12691 S. 3600 W. Riverton, Utah. A viewing will be held at the same location Friday, September 1, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9:00 - 10:30 AM.
My first introduction to Michael was through my husband as they were college friends. When Michael first met me he quipped, "Bart, are you robbing the cradle again?" Michael has been an inherited friend for me and what a great inheritance I have enjoyed because of him. Michael is witty, funny and very kind. When we left undergraduate school at the same time as Michael, he pulled our meager possessions in a U-haul trailer to California with his sporty black Ford because our Fiat was not up to the task. He greeted us at every gas and rest stop with a big smile on his face and conversation that made the trip more fun. When my husband graduated from earth life over two years ago, Michael immediately offered to help me with any house repairs I needed, helped me sort out financial issues and phoned consistently to see how I was doing. I had the privilege of having a lengthy conversation with him the 26th of August 2023. He was full of hope for the future and mentioned that if he survived his cancer it would be wonderful and if he didn't that would be okay also. I am going to miss my inherited dear friend very much indeed.
Mike was a great guy. You can tell by his prosperity. He has some great kids and the truly have the love of our savior in their hearts. My life is better for being associated with the Osolla family. Thanks for sharing Mike and your family with us. Wishing you all God’s comfort at this time.
I work at Home depot in riverton. We would like to send our Condolences to your Family. Our hearts our broken. We loved mike so much. He would come in and make us smile everyday . We where truly blessed in knowing him. 🙏. ... we will hold him in are hearts.. He will always be remembered at riverton 8566.. Mike we love you. Thank you for all the laughs..
