Michael Arietta, 60, from South Deerfield, Massachusetts, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 24, 2025.

He was born in the beautiful city of Torino, Italia, on December 31, 1964, to a single mother, Maria Communello. She baptized him as Gian-Luca Masini before surrendering him to the patrons of Istituto Provinciale Per L'Infanzia Orphanage.

At age two and a half, he and his five-year-old brother, Marino (Alphonse Jr), were adopted by a loving Italian American family, Alphonse and Carmela (nee Vita) Arietta, who christened him Michael Arietta. His precious early childhood memories were spent with a large extended family living on Long Island and at summer vacations at South Pond in New Hampshire.

In the spring of fourth grade, his family relocated to northern New Hampshire to the Village of Groveton. There, he graduated in the class of 1983 from Groveton High School. He continued his education, graduating from Keene State College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. Michael had a 26-year career as a senior payroll specialist with Yankee Candle.

He will be remembered for his enthusiastic passion for auto racing and photography. His life dream was to be a professional driver. He was known to wake up at 3 am to record and watch each race and talk incessantly about it to anyone willing to listen. The local police can attest that he practiced his speed and precision for corners quite often on his way to Lime Rock Park or the White Mountains. He had an amazing eye for seeing things up close and appreciating its inner beauty, making him a skilled photographer. In his photographs, you are able to see life from a different vantage point. He also exhibited a brilliant mind for comedy, and had the ability to make a person laugh at the silliest things and embraced life with gusto. Above all, though, he loved his family; his warm heart and laughter will be missed by everyone who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, numerous Vita and Arietta uncles, aunts and cousins.

He sadly leaves behind his daughter Alyssa (Patrick Connelly) Arietta of Greenfield, NH; son Dominic Arietta of Turner Falls, MA: step-grandsons Finnegan and Killian Connelly; brother, Alphonse (Kim) Arietta Jr of Ashuelot, NH; sister, Gloria Ciccolini of London, UK; niece, Emily Arietta of Keene, NH; nephew, Dylan Arietta of Greenfield, MA; great nephews Jackson and Emrik of Keene, NH and aunts Vivian Reiglehoff, Margaret Arietta and Ingrid Arietta. Cousins: John Bernardo, Lydia (Steve Ali) Bernardo, Roger Mayhew, Donna (Doug) Eason, Elizabeth (Doug Shroder) Mayhew, Susan (Jeff Skowron) Mayhew, Bob Arietta, Donald Arietta, Loraine (Chris) Boerum, Ron (Victoria) Williamson, Vinnie (Bernadette) Abbatecola, Janet (nee Abbatecola) O'Toole, Christine Reiglehoff, Claudia Arietta, Lisa Arietta, Steve (Nancy) Arietta, Elaine Miller, and Sandi (Dan) Brown.

A celebration of life will be announced later at the convenience of the family.

To send the family your conveniences via the online register-book, please visit, www.armstrongcharronfuneralhome.com