Michael Vincent Sposato, O.D.

EAST PALESTINE - Michael Vincent Sposato, O.D., 41, of 158 East Martin Street, died Saturday evening of a massive heart attack at home in his sleep.

Born September 23, 1962 in Rochester, Pa., he lived most of his life in Columbiana.

A contact lens specialist in private optometric practice in New Castle, Pa. he was affiliated with Lawrence County Eye Associates.

Following undergraduate studies at Youngstown State University, Dr. Sposato attended The Ohio State College of Optometry, receiving his O.D. degree in 1986.

A member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio and Pennsylvania Optometric Associations, he was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana, where he had been a guitarist for various liturgies.

Dr. Sposato was a past grand knight of St. Jude Knights of Columbus and was a 4th degree knight in the Cardinal Mercier Assembly. He was president of Columbiana High School Class of 1980.

Skilled in computer programming and electronics, he was an avid reader with an insatiable curiosity who dabbled in real estate, electronic marketing and many other areas of interest.

He is survived by his wife, the former Missy A. LiVolsi, whom he married May 27, 2000; an infant son, Angelo Vincent; his mother, Patricia Sposato, Columbiana; a brother, Christopher Sposato, Boca Raton, Fla.; a sister, Cynthia Oliver, Loveland, Oh; and his maternal grandmother, Frances LaPatka, Columbiana.

Other survivors include his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Maurice and Lois LiVolsi, Wellsville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jay and Debi Pappas, and brothers-in-law Jamie LiVolsi, Wellsville, and Anthony LiVolsi, New Park, Pa.

He also leaves three nephews, his godson, Vincent Michael Oliver, Joseph Michael Oliver and Dino Christopher Sposato; a niece, Gabriella Maria Sposato; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins, to whom he was devoted.

Dr. Sposato was preceded in death by his father, Dino V. Sposato, on July 22, 2003, as well as his paternal grandparents, Giovanni and Rosaria Sposato; his maternal grandfather, Joseph LaPatka; and an uncle, Ralph Sposato.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Warrick-Kummer Funeral Home in Columbiana.

The Rev. Thomas G. Ziegler will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Jude Church, with interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Leetonia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Dr. Sposato's memory be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, P.O. Box 96305, Washington, D.C. 20090-6305.