Michael Anthony Colello

Michael A. (“Mike”) Colello, former Portland High School basketball star who was Maine’s first foul shooting champion in 1947, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2015 in the warmth and comfort of his home surrounded by his family. Mike was 85 years old.

Mike was born March 18, 1929 in Portland, Maine to Mauro and Michelina (Indano) Colello.. Raised on Munjoy Hill, he attended Portland area schools and was a star athlete at Portland High School, graduating in 1947. Mike was honored to play basketball for Jimmy Fitzpatrick in his final year of coaching at Portland High. Mike won the first Maine Foul Shooting Championship for Maine. While hundreds of spectators at the YMCA gymnasium watched with bated breath, Mike was ice-cool as he sank 41 out of 50 foul shots to become the first champion of the foul shooting contest beating out 90 other Maine school champions. Mike later traveled to Boston Garden to win the New England foul-shooting championship. In “the Garden”, Mike sank 20 out of 25 fouls shots capturing the New England foul shooting championship.

After high school, Mike joined the Navy in 1947. Mike enlisted for three years and his service was extended another year due to the Korean War. In 1948, he served aboard the USS Hyman (DD-732) stationed near Israel. In 1950 during the Korean War, he served aboard the USS Leyte, an aircraft carrier stationed to send planes to bomb North Korea.

While in the Navy, Mike traveled the world, including Japan, Israel, Korea, and Italy. While in Italy, Mike and his fellow Navy crewmates had an audience with Pope Pius XII. Mike was a proud American and loved serving his country.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mike returned to Portland. Mike married his wife, Janice (DiRenzo) Colello in April 1964, and they raised two lovely children, Michael P. Colello and Paula J. (Colello) McGee. Mike worked for Bancroft & Martin Steel Mills for eight years. Later, he sold insurance for Paul Revere Insurance Company. He then worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier for twenty-one years until his retirement. Mike served as Vice-President of the Letter Carriers Union. For many years, Mike helped organize an annual “Retiree’s Night” to celebrate with his fellow retirees, postal service friends, coworkers and their families.

Mike loved sports. For over twelve years, he was a well-respected basketball official and baseball umpire, officiated hundreds of games all across Southern Maine. One memorable night in May 1974 while officiating a Cheverus v. Deering baseball game, Mike made a very memorable call. In the last half of the eleventh inning, with the score tied 2-2, one out with Deerignites on first and second, what appeared to be the winning hit was banged to centerfield. Chervus catcher saw that the lead Deering runner failed to touch third base. The Cheverus catcher tagged the first and second Deering runner for a double play. Mike verified it, and while mayhem erupted, Mike stood by his call.. Players returned for the 12th inning and finally in the 12th inning Dearing put over a winning run that stuck. An anonymous fan who witnessed this game sent Mike a plaque documenting “A Great Umpires Call”. The fan stated “I’ve been watching baseball for over 50 years and I think I know baseball…I saw the most exciting play I ever witnessed…Mike Colello was right there and saw it” only confirms what Mike’s family and friends have known for his entire life—he was a man with guts and conviction. He made the call, and stuck with it.

Mike was a great dancer and always enjoyed a good time. He was a life-long member of the VFW, Portland Elks Club, and the Italian Heritage Club. He was also a faithful member of the Catholic church, baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he also served as an altar boy. He later was a communicant of St. Patrick’s church and St Pius church, where he handled church collections every Sunday.

Everyone who knew Mike would agree that he was one of the sharpest dressed men they had ever met. He enjoyed fine clothing, and had a memorable sense of style—his shirts and pants always expertly pressed, and his shoes always perfectly shined.

Mike had a generous spirit and was loved by everyone who knew him. During his retirement years, he continued to play golf, and enjoyed exercising and walking the Boulevard. He absolutely loved family spending time with his family, especially his beautiful grandchildren. Mike loved a warm and sunny summer day, and exploring new local restaurants with his beloved wife Janice.

Mike was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Donato Colello and Frank Colello. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Janice, of Portland, his two children Michael P. Colello of Portland and Paula J. (Colello) McGee of Tampa, Florida, her husband Mark McGee and grandchildren Grace Elizabeth and Jack Ryan McGee all of Tampa. He is also survived by his sisters Lugri (Colello) Flaherty and Julie (Colello) Boyle both of Portland. He was the loving uncle to many nieces and nephews, including Raymond Flaherty of Lynbrook New York, Louis Flaherty of Portland, Michael Flaherty of Yarmouth and Cathy (Flaherty) Young of Gorham, and their spouses and children.

The family would like to thank everyone at Hospice of Southern Maine who provided such compassionate care to Mike. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Rt. 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday February 20, 2015 in the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 21, 2015 at 10:00am at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church 72 Federal St. Portland, Maine. Interment will be in the spring at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, Maine with military honors conducted by the US Navy. On-Line Condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.