Michael C. Dantonio

Michael Carl Dantonio, age 103, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023. He was born in Royersford, PA to the late Mariano and Rose (Valerio) Dantonio, spending his formative years in SE PA along with his 2 brothers the late Joe & Nunzio, and 2 sisters, the late Christina (Dantonio) Knerr and Mary (Dantonio) Stubinski.

After Mike graduated from Norristown HS, he was contracted to play Professional baseball and started with the Hagerstown Owls, a franchise of the Chicago Cubs. At the outbreak of WWII, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corp and served over 3 years, also serving overseas as a 50Cal gunner on a B24 Liberator with the 15th Air Force Group. After his discharge he returned to baseball ending with the Hot Springs Bathers; a franchise of the Chicago White Sox in 1947.  Soon after, he met his future wife, the late Miriam (Haney) Dantonio and while raising a family, Mike enjoyed swimming and coaching baseball, and was employed by the PA Turnpike Commission, retiring as the Superintendent of the Norristown Branch. Mike was a member of Royersford VFW Post 6341 and Birdsboro American Legion Post 626. After retiring Mike remarried the (late) Helen (Batyko) Dantonio and they enjoyed spending time with family and traveling especially to their favorite place Aruba.  

Mike is survived by his son Michael Dantonio Jr, and his daughter Kathleen (Dantonio) and husband Robert Mealand. Grandchildren Matthew Mealand, Miriam (Mealand) Lockowitz and husband Edward III and his great grandchild Edward Lockowitz IV, and grandchildren Abigayl and Elliott Dantonio. Along with his parents and wives, Mike is predeceased by 2 sons Sean and Matt Dantonio and a great grandchild Maxton McArthur, who was the son of Abigayl Dantonio his granddaughter.

On Friday January 12, 2024, a visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon followed by a brief Catholic service at the Devlin-Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 Main Street, Phoenixville, PA.

A Burial Service with Military Honors will held at a later date, and will be shared with family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: “American Legion Post 626 Baseball”,  445 E Main Street, Birdsboro, PA 19508.