Michael Anthony Ferrante, 74

Michael lived in Cleveland until the U.S. Marine Corps sent him to training camp in California during the Korean War.

Michael and Geraldine Louise Duval were married on Nov. 20, 1949, and were blessed with three daughters — Nancy, Michele and Susan. After his time spent with the Marines, Michael moved his wife and three daughters to California.

For the next 40 years, Michael worked all over the world in the construction industry. He did defense work at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif.; the highway through Nevada City, Calif.; roadways along the Panama Canal, the first road from Skagway, Alaska, to Canada; as well as pioneer roads to the copper mines in New Guinea.

In January 2004, Michael received the Albert Einstein Lifetime Achievement Award for technology in the field of defense for the work he did at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Michael had divided his time for the last 14 years between Sandpoint, Idaho, and Stratford, Conn. He leaves behind many good friends in both places.

Michael was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Louise Ferrante. Michael is survived by his daughters, Nancy Fullerton and her husband, Jack; Michele Sterley and her husband, Doug; and Susan Ferrante. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Jacki, Jennifer and Shannon; as well as two great-grandsons, Connor Michael and Burke Michael.

Services and internment will be held in Nevada City, Calif., at Sierra Memorial Lawn Cemetery.