Michael Joseph Conforti Sr.

Born on March 25th, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey to Frank and Rose (née Sena) Conforti, he grew up in a loving Italian-American family. As a teenager, he discovered a great passion in hand-crafted woodworking after taking a trade related class in high school. He began his career at Branch Brook Building Supply in the late 1950’s. He loved working with his hands and always found a sincere enjoyment in his work.

He married the love of his life, RoseAnn (née Cefalu), on November 2nd, 1958. They met as children during kindergarten and grew up in the same neighborhood. Just months before his passing, they celebrated their 63rd anniversary. They were life partners, who through good times and bad, exemplified a passionate love that ultimately created the family of their dreams.

Together, they shared five children: Roxanne, Michael Joseph Jr., Steven, Scott and Carl. Their story is one of such a rare nature, and defines the strength of love.

In 1973, he moved his family from New Jersey to Coral Springs, Florida, where he started Conforti’s Interiors. After moving to the Pinellas County area, he co-founded Suncoast Window Treatments in 1980. Suncoast grew becoming one of the most respected window treatment and shutter companies in the state of Florida. He enjoyed a meaningful and fruitful career at Suncoast until his retirement in his early sixties. Eventually, his sons Michael, Steven, and Scott took over the business after his retirement. A new iteration of the company, International Wood Shutters (IWS), is still a successful and respected service in the Tampa area today.

Beyond his love of his work, he enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, particularly boating, bowling, golfing, fishing, and traveling to Aruba and the Bahamas with his family. For over thirty years, he owned many weeks of timeshare at the Renaissance Aruba Suites and found such enjoyment in spending quality time there during his retirement. It brought him so much happiness.

Michael had a personality larger than life. Everywhere he went, you could feel his presence. He loved to bring a good laugh to everyone he interacted with. His jokes, often lively, would always get everyone’s attention. His sense of humor was truly unmatched and brought so much laughter to his family and friends. His smile was so big and infectious. Michael had what one might consider a tough exterior, but a warm and generous heart. He loved people. He was always there to lend a hand and would give the shirt off his back. He quietly paid bills for family members, friends, or even strangers. He was always willing to help the people he cared about.

Michael taught his children and grandchildren many valuable lessons. Firstly, that family is everything. You always put family first. Secondly, one is only as good as his or her word. If you say you’re going to do something, you do it. He truly was the definition of a man of his word. Thirdly, he taught that one should take pride in his/her work, and always put your best effort in. Never do something without 100% effort.

What truly defined Michael was the importance he placed on and the love he had for his family. He took such pride in the family he and RoseAnn build together, a family unit of forty five members. Anyone who knew him could attest that all he would talk about is how proud he was about his big family. Not only did he enjoy five children, but sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. It meant the absolute world to him. That is his true legacy, and the legacy he desired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose Conforti. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty three years, RoseAnn Conforti, his five children Roxanne Connor, Michael J. Conforti Jr. (Tricia), Steven Conforti (AnnaMarie), Scott Conforti (Rae), and Carl Conforti (Catalina), his brother Vito Conforti, his grandchildren Michael Connor, Marjorie Gasparini (Livio), Michael J. Conforti III (Jennifer), Rory Conforti (Diana), Giovani Conforti, Steven Conforti (Denise), Jeremy Conforti (Eileen), Jonathan Conforti, Scott Conforti Jr. (Giselle), Chad Conforti, Niko Conforti (Jasmine), Ciara Conforti, Cole Conforti, Toby Conforti, Michaela Conforti, and Carter Pieper and his great-grandchildren Joseph Gomez, Charles McManaway, Avalee Gray, Noah Gray, Aubrey Conforti, Jesse Conforti, Ryan Conforti, Bruce Conforti, and Anthony Conforti.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 19th at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Clearwater, Fl. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The service will begin at 10:30 AM. Per Michael’s request, please wear bright colors to contribute to the celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater FL 33760, or https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations2/