Obituary of V. Michael Fulginiti

V. Michael Fulginiti age 59, of Aston, PA, was escorted to heaven by our Lord’s angels on Friday, October 14, 2016, after courageously battling ALS. He was at home surrounded by his loving family.  Michael was a man of God with a servant’s heart. A devoted family man with a heart for provision, he was happiest providing for his family and friends. Humble and hard-working, Michael put others first. As a family man, coach, insurance agent, commissioner, handyman, and mentor, Michael left those with whom he interacted feeling secure and cared for. As an active member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, he served the Lord on its mission team helping residents rebuild their homes and supporting his team with wisdom and his talent for “building things”. The lives he touched while on the mission trips will forever be sustained by the skills he taught them. In addition, Michael helped the local community through HIS ministry helping residences in need of handicap ramps and other maintenance tasks. He also felt blessed to be part of Selah Bible Study for a number of years where he was surrounded by his brothers and sisters in Christ. He served the Lord with his hands and used the gifts with which God blessed him. Michael had a passion for influencing children to become hardworking and respectful individuals. Michael spent time as a soccer and basketball coach in Aston Township coaching his children and their friends. As one of his former players stated, “As a coach, Mr. Fulginiti did more than teach us about the game, he taught his players about respect, hard work, sportsmanship, and love for one another.” Michael was a community man who served with integrity. Besides coaching, he also was active in various organizations that supported the community family. Michael was elected to serve as 1st Ward Commissioner of Aston Twp. for two terms until January 2016. He chose not to run again, because he felt due to his ALS, he could not serve his constituents the way they deserved to be served. Michael spent his entire life working not for himself, but for his family. He was able to provide his family with a beautiful vacation home on the Chesapeake Bay where many family and friends enjoyed sunsets, boat rides, kickball games, and love. His favorite activities involved taking his grandchildren on tractor and boat rides which was always received with laughter and smiles for their Pops. Growing up in Prospect Park, PA, Michael moved to Aston Twp., PA in 1984 after he built a home up the street from his in-laws, Gerhard and Vera Woitas. He moved into this home with his wife, Andrea, and their three children, Kerri Fulginiti, Michael Fulginiti, and Amber (Fulginiti) Duquette. Michael was a graduate of Interboro High School, Class of 1976 and later graduated from Cheyney University in 1979. He worked for the Prudential Insurance Company as an agent and manager, until starting his own agency, Fulginiti Insurance of Aston, PA, in 1992. Michael is survived by his wife Andrea Woitas Fulginiti, Son, Michael (Heather) Fulginiti, two daughters, Kerri (Dinh Lai) Fulginiti and Amber (Ron) Duquette, his mother, Kathleen Quinn, brother, James (Cheryl) Fulginiti, four sisters, Cheri Fulginiti, Lisa (Jeff) Laird, Katie (Jim) Beatty, and Brianna Fulginiti. Also survived by six grandchildren Daxton, Reese, Kamden, Cade, Dean, Kieu and another blessing on the way. Michael was shockingly diagnosed with ALS after a year of testing to determine what was causing his symptoms. He fought this incurable disease the only way he knew how, with all his might. Although he and his family relentlessly searched for clinical trials and any form of treatment world-wide, the search unfortunately concluded in no promising path, even after petitioning the White House. Michael and the family decided to fight this dreadful disease by creating the Family Strong 4 ALS Foundation to raise funds for research and advocacy. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Michael, donations may be made to his foundation: Family Strong 4 ALS at 115 Drayton Rd., Aston, PA 19014 or on their website http://www.familystrong4als.org/donate Memorial Service: Saturday, October 22, at 11:00AM at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 4020 Concord Rd., Aston, PA 19014. Visitation: Friday, October 21 after 5:00 PM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd. Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063, and Saturday from 9:30-10:45AM at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church. Interment: Private.