Michael Louis Mureddu

Newport - Michael Mureddu, 84, died May 31, 2013, at the Grand Islander Center, Middletown, RI. He was the devoted husband of Sylvia Mureddu. Born in Newport, RI, on July 20, 1928, he was the first son of Anthony and Mary Castellano Mureddu who both emigrated from Italy. Mike was the loving brother of Catherine and Louis Mureddu and his wife Barbara, both of Newport, RI. Mike leaves eight children, Michael Mureddu, Patricia Griffy and her husband Bobby, Charles Mureddu and his wife Dawn, John Mureddu and his wife Renee, Bryan Mureddu, Robert Mureddu and his wife Carol, Christopher Mureddu and his fiance Kathleen, and Mary Jones and her husband Richard, his nephew Peter Mureddu, and his niece Catherine Mureddu. He also leaves twenty-three grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.Mike was a tall, cordial man who lived his whole life in the City by the Sea, Newport, RI. He attended both St. Joseph's School and De La Salle Academy. After graduating at the age of 17, he started working for the Newport Electric Corporation as a meter reader and then a lineman. Mike joined the army and served as a senior line instructor. His unit was instrumental in rebuilding some of the electrical infrastructure in Germany after World War II. He then returned to the Newport Electric Corporation and worked as a lineman for many years and eventually entered management as the Director of Overhead and Underground Transmission and finally as Director of Personnel ending a tenure that spans 50 years. While working as a lineman, Mike was very active in the Brotherhood of Utility Workers and served as the President of his local and was a regional Vice President. Mike was well respected amongst his peers and fought hard to preserve fair wages, benefits, and safe work conditions for all employees of Newport Electric. Mike was a thoughtful, kind, empathetic, and intelligent man who brought all of those qualities to life becoming a true advocate and master for fair bargaining serving on both side of the table. He was a true pioneer at his craft and unions today could have learned a lot from him.Mike met and married the love of his life, Sylvia Stoun Mureddu. Together they created a beautiful life together that although very private, they invited many to share in their story through live entertainment and radio. They were hard at work raising children and contributing to many local civic and private charities. From the beginning, Mike and Sylvia became true partners in life and he was always by her side before, during and after her performances. Mike became more involved in Sylvia's music career and in the mid 1970's he convinced her to agree to host a live radio show on WADK. Mike became the writer, producer, director, and eventually co-host the Miss Saucy Sylvia Show that was one of the last live music radio shows in the country. Mike and Sylvia have touched many lives during their careers. Mike also played the piano, sang, and was a great dancer. He loved to read, cook and travel the world.Mike was also a member of the Newport Electric Retirees and a past member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.His funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 5th, 2013, at 9:00a.m. from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00a.m. in Jesus Savior Church, 509 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown.Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, June 4th, 2013, from 5-8p.m.In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to remember Mr. Mureddu, a memorial contribution may be made to the Jesus Savior Church, 1 Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840, Temple Shalom, 223 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 02842, or the Wounded Warrior Project, Attn. Advanced Guard, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Cemetery Details St. Columba's Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, Visitation JUN 4. 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com