hi michele im so sorry to hear about your dad. i just noticed today that the house was for lease. i have such wonderful memeroies from when we were little. id love to see you call me 6693002404

My sympathy goes out to you and your family with the loss of Mike. I am one of Mike's neighbors, Elaine Deras on Almaden Rd, and have enjoyed spending time and talking with him over the years. He had been an avid walker for years and a friend to Leo Dineson. Mike grew wonderful persimmons too.
God bless you

It has been a very long time since I have seen Mike but I know he will be missed.  I send my sincere sympathy to all of you.  Betty Gernmano

Mike was born in San Francisco in 1914.  At 5 years old his father thought it would be great to own a dairy farm in San Joaquin Valley. Mike started working at a very young age. He had to milk cows at the crack of dawn because he needed to get to school on time. At age 7 he was running teams of horses that would carry their products to market. His parents then bought and ran the old Coalinga Hot Springs in the 1920's when people would often get mineral baths for illness. 
In 1928, they moved to San Jose and lived on 2nd Street near Mission.  Mike went to Peter Burnett Academy for Middle school. He then went to San Jose High where he played football. He was so good that before he graduated, he was recruited to play for San Jose State University, but since he had already committed to going to San Jose Tech, he declined.  He used to say he went to Tech so he could learn to repair appliances, after all, football back then didn't earn any money. After his 2 years at the trade school, he then serviced appliances from Monterey to San Francisco. He was deferred for WWII due to his repair knowledge and experience. He worked at Hart's Department store, Brueners and was a General Manager at Levitz Furniture. During these years he also worked as a Rancher and once had a cherry orchard in Sunnyvale. He bought a house on Bird Ave. for $7,000 cash. He paid cash for everything. In the 30 plus years we knew him he never had a loan or owed anyone. When he wanted a car, he would go to Detroit, buy his next Cadillac and drive it home. He had 7.  Mike found it difficult to fully retire and always seemed to be busy.

In his retirement years he enjoyed many travels, dancing, working on his old player piano, gardening, and long walks with his late friends Dr. Joe and Evelyn Singer.  He helped others all the time and was well known in his neighborhood for taking neighbors trash cans out to the street, and also raking their leaves. In fact, he mowed his own lawn until not to long ago. He was not one to let you do much for him.  That was the kind of guy he was.
When his twin grandchildren were born, he showed up to our doorstep with his 3 best pals and asked his daughter how the four of them could help with the babies. Mind you, he was 77 years old at the time.  As time went by, his friends stopped coming but he never did. He often came by carrying diapers and baby food. As his grandkids grew older he would come to their recitals and for dinner to see them. He always would ask where they were and what they were doing if they weren't around.  
Many years ago my family and I decided to move much closer to him so that we could spend more time with him. His twin grandchildren Brendan and Marissa saw him almost every day and welcomed the opportunity to help take care of him. They were so blessed that he could spend his last years with them. I myself was treated like a son that he never had, and I felt like he was the father figure I needed.
Up until the end, Mike was still always joking and had a great attitude on life.  He still enjoyed his garden, his family, and friends.  We will miss him always.

Dad, may you rest in peace, looking for the "Chorus Girls who are Kickin'".

Grandpa I'm so blessed to have been your granddaughter, I know you loved me and were so proud of me. Mom and Dad told me on your last night you kept telling your nurses you had a granddaughter that danced as you once did too. You slipped away from us yesterday morning but you could still hear us. You waited for me to arrive at your side and after you heard my voice you peacefully passed away at 3pm. There is no right time to go and there is nothing that prepares anyone for this. I miss you so much and would love to talk to you again. But one thing I can say is that not many people can say their grandpa saw them nearly everyday, lived around the corner, and most of all lived to be 99 years old.   I love you papa <3

My father Michael Germano was the most wonderful father.  I will miss him every day.

Mike was a wonderful, warm and loving man - he will be greatly missed.  He grew wonderful figs - my Mom made a wonderful fig preserve with the figs.  Rest peacefully, Mike.  Erma Caldwell and Lois Manning, Reno, NV

May he rest in peace. Micheal was a fine person.
        Dolly Schultz Sparks Nv

OBITUARY

Michael Mike Angelo Germano

October 24, 1914 – July 28, 2013

Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel

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