Michael J. J. L’Italien, 77 of Salem, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, following a long illness. He was the husband of his high school sweetheart, Fernande M. C. (Moreau) L’Italien with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.
Born in Swampscott and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Laurien R. and Alice L. (Gagnon) L’Italien. Following his graduation, Mike attended Wentworth Institute in Boston and in 1962 he and Fern were married. In 1966 he was inducted into the Army and served in Vietnam as a Sergeant with Co. A, 69th Signal Battalion. Among his awards were the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. Following his tour of duty he returned to Salem and joined his father in the L’Italien Construction Co., residential and commercial contractors, which he continued to operate following his father’s retirement. Mike was a member of the Witch City VFW Post 1524, PLAV, American Legion and the Salem Council of the Knights of Columbus.
In addition to his wife Fern, he is survived by his sisters, Maureen J. Brodeur and her husband Ben of Peabody, Kathleen A. L’Italien of Salem as well as his nieces and nephews, Lauren Baletsa of Sandwich, Bill Baletsa of Salem, Erica Ernsberger of Florida, Gerard White of Lancaster, Cherylann Gard of Salem and Susan L. Guthrie of Danvers. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Alice T. Ernsberger.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. His funeral service and burial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to, Witch City Post 1524, Veterans of Foreign Wars, P.O. Box 332, Salem, MA 01970. For guestbook and additional information please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com