Michael John Picorale “Pic” “Mikey” “Grandfafa, 72, died unexpectedly March 26, 2021 at Atlantic Care Hospital of Covid Pneumonia. He was sedated and in no pain. We were able to facetime him and tell him how much we loved him. We believe he heard us and we saw one tear drop along with a smile before he left us forever to be in the land of the remembered.
He was born in Morristown, NJ to the late Joseph A. Picorale, Sr, & Virginia (Swenson). Michael graduated from PHS and attended Stockton college for four years. He was a certified Yamaha Motorcycle mechanic. He served in the Vietnam Conflict from 1969 -1973 as a Navy radio dispatcher, a gunner’s mate, and mail clerk on ship. Michael worked for M & Z Electric, Resorts Hotel/Casino and he opened and retired from Tropicana as a journeyman electrician and a proud Local 68 union member.
Michael is survived by his wife Candy (Price) and his daughter Tiffany J. Jeter (Alvah) and son, Jacob M. Picorale, his granddaughter’s, Celeste and Amelle, who brought him so much joy and happiness every day. His brothers, Joseph A. Picorale, Jr (Emma) and Peter F. Picorale (Janet), Aunt Alberta Swenson, nephews Joey Picorale and Joseph Marcello (Michelle), nieces, Heather Rocap (Tighe), Dana Picorale, Anna Picorale & Jennifer Marcello (Ben Garfinkel), several grand nieces and nephews, his beloved cousins, and so many friends, co-workers and neighbors whom he loved like family.
Michael was one of a kind, always the life of the party with a happy go lucky attitude every day and positive vibes, you’d rarely catch him without a smile or a “how ya doing!”. He was an expert electrician and overall handyman – he even built the house we lived in with his own two hands and fixed up a few homes over the years. He loved running and could be seen waddling down RTE. 9 before his back surgery. He loved to dance, whistle, tinker in his garage, grow flowers and have green grass. He was an avid fisherman, camera and computer buff, very good skier and served on the ski patrol in Maine in his younger years. Mike played the bass guitar in his beloved band, Group Therapy. “No sing Papi”. He took up golf in his later years and was hooked. His favorite course was The Frog Rock and he and his golf buddy Louie played as often as the sun shined. Pic was known for helping others in need. He gave the coat and shoes off his back to a homeless man one night while leaving work, not just once but a few times. In honor of him he would want you to wake up every day with a smile on your face and be grateful your name is not listed in the obituary as he often would say. Please pay it forward and be like Mikey…give the ones you love a big hug, give strangers smiles, help someone in need, be kind, feed them, donate to a charity, clothe someone or give them a ride. Be joyful every day. “Love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1.22
A graveside service will be held on Thursday Sept. 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, 109 State Blvd. 50, Estell Manor NJ.