Passing of Michael Povinelli
On Friday evening, December 12, Michael Povinelli passed away
due to an unfortunate accident at his home in Salt Lake City. Michael was a
powerful and influential figure in many aspects of our glider world and
elsewhere. His contribution to the sport and our lives was immense. Many of us
owe our start and involvement in soaring to his mentorship and guidance. He was
an accomplished glider pilot, airline pilot and purveyor of all things Italian.
He will be missed.
The Utah Soaring Association members and board of directors
would like to convey their heartfelt condolences to his wife Ruthann as well as
his family.
Memorial services will be announced at a future date.
A memorial website has been created. For comments, memories
and donations, please visit:
==========================================
~ IN MEMORY ~
Ret. Lt. Col. USAFR, DL pilot Michael Louis
Povinelli
May 1, 1958 ~ December 12, 2014
Notification with the passing of Delta pilot Michael Louis
Povinelli, age 56. Michael joined Delta Air Lines 11-25-1991, based SLC. He is
survived by his wife Ruthann.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Povinelli family
at
1027 E Herbert Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84105-1410 ...
(801) 333-7688
This weblink has information about the NY memorial service and
a place for your memories:
For New York: there will be a wake and a memorial service this
Friday, December 19th followed by a luncheon on Saturday.
For Utah: memorial services will be on Friday and Saturday,
January 9th and 10th. Location and time to follow.
Services in Salt Lake City under the direction of Larkin
Mortuary, online condolences may be left at www.larkincares.com
Thank
you,
~ Carol for
the PCN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obituary...........
Salt Lake City, Utah- On Friday, December 12th, 2014, Michael Louis
Povinelli, husband, son, brother, wonderful friend, man of Ruth's dreams, the
very best of men, was taken from us in a tragic accident that ended his life too
soon.
Born on the First of May, 1958, he was the eldest child of Louis and Gloria
Povinelli. He grew up with his sister and a band of friends in Elmont, NY, life
in the Joan Court neighborhood was never dull- an adventure when Michael was
around. A devout Yankee fan, a loss for the Bronx Bombers always broke his
heart. Michael began his lifelong love of working with his hands in his father's
shop. Known to his childhood friends as Lou and to his military friends as Pov,
he grew up living on the edge, but mellowed wonderfully with age.
Becoming a military pilot was his goal and passion from an early age. At
18, he enlisted in the Air Force and became the "go to" F-111 flight control
mechanic at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. There he fell in love with the
West and stayed to attend the University of Utah following his enlistment. He
paid for college by joining the Utah Air National Guard and waiting tables. As
an Air Force ROTC cadet, he graduated with a BS in Political Science and a
coveted USAF pilot training slot. After getting his wings, he flew KC-10 tankers
at March Air Force Base, becoming one of the original 'FAT' boys (First
Assignment Ten).
Ruth met Michael in the first Gulf War, flying combat refueling missions
together. Covering each others backs, they developed a deep friendship that grew
into the love they will forever share. After marriage in 1998, they built their
life together in Salt Lake City, UT. Michael was proud of his military service,
and retiring as a Lt Colonel, USAFR, he continued his passion for flying at
Delta Air Lines.
It was Ruth who introduced Michael to the joy of motorless
flight in sailplanes. They loved to share the passion of soaring all over the
West, often flying together up to 250 miles without an engine! He was a great
instructor and enjoyed sharing his passion of flight. Michael and Ruth were the
driving force behind the development and growth of the Utah Civil Air Patrol
Glider Flight. For over a decade, he brought the joy of soaring flight to Civil
Air Patrol Cadets throughout the state. He also acted as an instructor and
mentor pilot for many in the soaring community, motivating all those around him
to excel. He and Ruth were the best of friends and partners in life. He always
answered her phone calls with "Hello, Beautiful!" and would ask her everyday:
"Have I told you that I love you lately? It's true, I do. I love you!" We can
scarcely imagine one without the other.
Michael was a wonderful friend who always made time to care
for lifelong friendships. He had a wonderful heart and a knack to make others
about him feel special. He was deep, thoughtful, opinioned, and a man of
character, respect and humor. Michael was genuine: he was the same with everyone
he encountered - a spiritual man who knew who he was, To the neighborhood
children, he was their own personal jungle gym; to the dogs, he was a guaranteed
scratch behind the ear. He could look you in the face and tell you the most
outrageous truth so frankly that you would think he was joking. When he was
wrong, he would acknowledge and accept the consequences; when he was right, he
was absolute in his certainty. He had a gift for comforting people in times of
trouble or pain. When he was in a room, you always felt his presence. We still
feel him in our lives, we will always miss him, and we will be forever thankful
we knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Ruthann Povinelli (Siu), sister
Michelle (Desmond) Rea, father Louis Povinelli and many nieces and nephews who
love him very much.
For New York: there will be a wake and a memorial service this
Friday, December 19th followed by a luncheon on Saturday.
For Utah: memorial services will be on Friday and Saturday,
January 9th and 10th. Location and time to follow.
In Memoriam will be held with military honors in October
2015.
This weblink has information about the NY memorial service and
a place for your memories.
Services in Salt Lake City under the direction of Larkin
Mortuary, online condolences may be left at www.larkincares.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any of the
following organizations:
First Ward, 760 East 700 South, Salt Lake City, UT
84102
Utah Civil Air Patrol Glider Flight 640 N 2360 West, Salt Lake
City 84116
The best way to honor Michael is simply to "Tell your loved
ones how much they are loved every day".
.Published in Deseret News from Dec. 20 to Dec. 21, 2014
died
October 17th, 2014, at her home in Poulsbo, Washington, warmly supported by her
family and caregivers. 
