Michael Parenti

Michael Parenti, age 82, founder of Bozo's Army and Navy Store, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Rocco and Laura Parenti, and brother to Marguerite, Dominick, and the late Rocco. During his childhood, Michael was known as a prankster, often starting problems for fun with the neighborhood kids, then leaving his brother to deal with it. He would regularly be found playing baseball with his friends and played for the ''WMCA Good Guys'' baseball team. At the same time, he was also working for his father and grandfather's army and navy stores. Establishing Bozo's on Staten Island in 1973 after many years owning stores in Brooklyn, ''Mikey'' as his customers knew him, was the man who not only provided their workwear, but also brightened their day with jokes, and his very frank opinions. Michael never suffered with an over-abundance of patience in life, as many who knew him would agree. A few salespeople likely even thought he passed years ago, as they were informed by Mike himself, so as not to be burdened with the fruits of their conversation when they called looking for him. Michael had many employees who worked for him over the years, always falling victim to his antics at any opportunity he saw fit. He loved them all, not just those who were his family. As a fan of baseball, he followed the Dodgers until they abandoned Brooklyn, at which point he became a fan of the Mets. Mike was very proud of sponsoring a championship Bozo's Softball team in the mid-seventies. He also took pleasure in owning several successful racehorses and was known as the family handyman. He was a man of the highest caliber, serving as a role model for many. In 2018 after working for over seventy years, Michael retired to live in Florida. Uncle Mike will be missed by many loving nieces and nephews. He is survived by his former spouse Grace Parenti, two daughters Laura Parenti-Norden and Theresa Stetson, two granddaughters Katherine and Jacqueline Stetson, and a single male heir, his grandson Paul. A Funeral service will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. located at 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, New York 10312. Entombment will follow in Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday, October 7, 2022, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. In Lieu of flowers should you wish to honor Michael, donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital or Tunnels to Towers ,would be greatly appreciated. Via Mail at: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or online at: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Tunnels to Towers via mail: MAIL: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or online at : https://t2t.org/donate/

Michael Parenti

April 29, 1940 - October 1, 2022