Michael Anthony Talerico, 75, of Peoria, Az. passed away peacefully January 21, 2022 at his daughters home surrounded by his family.
Michael was born on June 8, 1946 to Angelo and Theresa Talerico in Paterson, New Jersey, and he was raised in Little Falls, New Jersey. He graduated from Passaic Valley High School in 1964 and joined the Army where he was a proud member of the 101st Airborne Division. He later served in Vietnam as a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Upon returning from war he married his high school sweetheart Judith Claire (Perrotta) Talerico and they lived in Pompton Plains New Jersey. In 1986 he and his family moved to Peoria Arizona and opened their first of eight video stores.
In addition to his wife Judi, Michael was preceded in death by parents Angelo and Theresa Talerico. and sister Josephine (Talerico) Gosman.
Michael is survived by his children, daughter Christine Morrow and her husband Dan, son Michael and his partner Mackenzie, son Steven and his fiancé Lesley and son Angelo, his brother William Talerico.
He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Andria Shepard, Kaigen Talerico, Madeline Talerico, Taylor Talerico, Jordyn Talerico, Rylee Talerico, Heather Hartman and Darren Moffet, and great grandchildren Ezra, Violet, and Leo Shepard.
Michael loved his children and grandchildren and they were always in his thoughts. He also spent many years recruiting for the VFW. After being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease he joined Rock Steady Boxing, a local non-profit organization that was created to help victims of Parkinsons. He thoroughly enjoyed his boxing sessions with his friends.