Obituary of Michael "Mike" Joseph DiRaimo

Michael "Mike" Joseph DiRaimo, 66, of State College, died Friday, July 29, 2022, at Hershey Medical Center.

Born January 11, 1956, in Erie, PA, he was the son of Frank and Yolanda DiRaimo (née Carkitto). On March 25, 1984, he married Jacqueline "Jackie" Schmidt. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children—Danielle Dudas and her husband Patrick, of State College, PA, where they reside, and Michael DiRaimo Jr. and his wife Sarah Sotelo, of Hershey, PA, where they reside; his siblings Frank DiRaimo and his wife Elaine, who reside in Baltimore, MD, Tom DiRaimo and his wife Kathie, who reside in Erie, PA, Terry Seth and her husband Bob, who reside in Erie, Nancy DiRaimo, who resides in Erie, and Joseph DiRaimo and his wife Rennae, who reside in Erie; his many nieces and nephews; and his grandchildren Charlotte and Alexander Dudas, and Baby Girl Dudas due in December. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Yolanda.

He graduated in 1974 from Harbor Creek High School in Harborcreek, PA. He earned both baccalaureate and master's degrees from Penn State University, University Park. He dedicated his life to public service, first serving as a staff member in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the Democratic Leader, James Manderino. He went on to lobby for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and then the Pittsburgh Public School District. It was the honor of his life to serve as the state lobbyist at Penn State and retire in his career as Vice President for Government and Community Relations at Penn State. Michael loved his alma mater and worked tirelessly to help cultivate its reputation as a world-class university. In his retirement, he continued to support higher education by serving on the board of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, in Williamsport, PA.

Michael was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Family meant everything to him. He also cherished his friendships, many of which were lifelong. He was always very proud of his athletic ability. In his senior year of high school, he was First Team Erie County League in baseball and led the league in batting. He was a lifelong learner, had a tremendous intellect, a sharp wit, and a gift for reading the room. Michael spent many hours reading to expand his literary canon, developing a love of classic British and American literature, and continuing to learn about historical figures. He loved to develop new culinary skills, cooking and preparing a delicious Italian meal to share with others. He loved his Italian heritage and traveling to visit his many relatives in Sezze and Latina, Italy. Every morning of his retirement was spent with his wife as they mastered New York Times crossword puzzles together. Lastly, he dedicated his retirement to spending time with his grandchildren, always making them feel loved, supported, and silly. "Papa" loved to introduce classic Disney shows and movies to his grandchildren, singing and laughing along.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2022.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 867 Grays Woods Blvd., State College, with Father Charlie Amershek officiating.

Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Flowers can be sent to Koch Funeral Home.