Michael S Lotto

Michael Steven Lotto, 73, was born at the old Renton Hospital, in Renton, Washington, on August 26, 1947 to Mike and Marjorie Lotto. He passed in the early hours of May 1, 2021 at the VA Hospital in San Diego, CA., after receiving his last rites from a Catholic priest who came to visit him at 2am. Michael had always told his mother "You should have kept me in Catholic school where they made me behave." We are blessed that his son Michael Angelo, of Colorado, was holding his Dad's hand and courageously saw him through those last hours of his life.

Although he had several hospital stays, we are so thankful that Michael was able to enjoy his favorite place on the beach for several months then another four days before his downfall with his friend and caretaker Amil Barone. He loved it dearly there, watching the ocean in his favorite chair, a bonfire, music, a glass of wine and a cigar. He was so very excited to share his happy place with us.

Michael spent his first 13 years with his beloved family on Earlington Hill in Renton. We lived mostly outdoors with Baseball, football, treehouse friends, girls, a room full of electric trains in the basement, Lincoln logs and more. He enjoyed building covered wagons and putting his little sister in them along with our cat Boozer and sending us rolling down Earlington Hill! We spent countless hours riding bikes, and dragging the wooden hydroplanes he built in Dad's workshop. We shared many fishing trips to SeaQ and Neah Bay and we girls got to go! (Well, sometimes!)

Michael had a work ethic exactly like his Dad. He was working at the Market Basket stores as a young boy, bagging groceries and helping Dad and Mom in any way that he could. In 1960 our family moved to the Lakeridge neighborhood. He continued to work and graduated from Renton High School in 1965. In 1966 Michael enlisted and took an oath with the U.S. Navy. His first wish was that he be assigned to the submarine service, to follow in the footsteps of his (twelve years his senior) big brother Ray. However, he did not qualify due to height restrictions, he was too tall. He ended up serving three tours of duty on the USS Preble in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. His sister's letters to him were hopeful, they so wanted him to stay as safe as possible.

In the early 70's Michael bought a farm on the Kent East Hill, which would later become the Kent East Hill Nursery. He and his wife Annie married in 1982 and started the Nursery in the late 1980's with Angelo Toppano, a long time family friend. Work, again being his priority, proved to be a successful business with many happy memories. It was amazing to watch, considering Michael was completely deaf for most of his adult life. He retired in 2012 and moved to Arizona with Annie, spending time in several areas of the state. Michael bought a motor home and moved (temporarily at first) to the beach in San Diego. It became a place of calm and peace in his later years.

Although he was suffering with health issues, he never once complained, but chose to enjoy what he did have that was positive. Whenever presented with a "crisis", he would calmly say "That's OK!" no matter what he always gave others hope. When he would go to breakfast, he would rob the candy bowl on the way out. He lived his life in his own way and did not worry about what anyone thought. Michael loved his Seahawks, his cars and trucks, houses, guns, as well of course his steak and lobster. He found comfort in grocery stores, bringing home 10 of anything (10 bottles of ketchup) on sale for Annie and Himself. His memory was amazing, and it drove his sister crazy sometimes. We will miss his mushy, heartfelt cards and messages along with his huge sense of humor and laugh. With Michael, his love for his family was #1, especially for his wife and kids and in a very close 2nd was his devoted, faithful friend Kosmo, who never left his side.

Michael is preceded in death by his loving parents (1981 and 2009); Sisters Shirley (2013), and Joan (2017); and his beloved Kosmo (2017).

Michael leaves behind his son Michael Angelo and his mother Annie, Daughter Amy and family, Brother Ray (Janet), Sister Nancy, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thank you to the wonderful VA staff in San Diego and Phoenix who lovingly took care of Michael. We will be forever grateful to Amil, for being a loyal friend and caregiver. Also, thank you to all you friends and family. We Love you.