WATERBURY — Michael Joseph Janeiro, 28, of Waterbury, formerly of Naugatuck, died suddenly Monday, Oct. 20, 2014.
Michael was born Sept. 20, 1986 in Waterbury, a son of Alberto Antunes Janeiro and Rosa Maria (Chipelo) Janeiro. Mike lived most of his life in Naugatuck with a love for soccer and wrestling.
Mike loved life, family, and being with people. Mike could walk into any room and light it up with energy, fun, and love all at once. He was known for making people laugh and bringing the life to a party, and could easily make a stranger in the room feel like an old friend.
To encapsulate Mike’s personality as a whole, it’s best to quote him directly,
“As each day passes and I get older, I realize more and more the importance of having an amazing family. I can easily say, ‘If I died today I die the luckiest man in the world. No question. Without them I would’ve been gone long ago.’
My grandmother, my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law, my godfather, my godmother, all of my aunts and uncles, my cousins, my friends … each and every one of you I am blessed and lucky to have.
Without your support, forgiveness, and open arms, I know my life would be different. Faith. Forgiveness. Family. Forever. I love you more than I have ever shown and ever could show. I have a beautiful niece to be that I am just as lucky to have … when she gets here.”
In addition to his parents of Naugatuck, Mike is survived by his sister, Christina Gleason and his brother-in-law, Patrick Gleason, of Longmeadow, Mass.; his maternal grandmother, Rosa Chipelo of Naugatuck; his newborn niece, Catarina Michaela Gleason; his godmother, Bea Chipelo of Waterbury; his godfather, Joe Tavares of New Jersey as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and a huge circle of friends from all over that Mike considered family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury. Relatives and friends are respectfully asked to go directly to church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
To honor Mike’s memory, contributions may be made to Sao Paio, c/o Clube Uniao Portuguesa, 110 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770.
To send an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
