Michael A. Vartuli

Michael Ameraldo Vartuli, known as “The Whip” and “Guido,” passed away at the age of 93 in St. Augustine, FL, on September 24, 2023, at Allegro Senior Living.

Born on March 11, 1930, in Stamford, CT, Michael was the son of the late Raffaele and Filomena Tarzia Vartuli. He graduated from St. Basil’s Prep, served in the US Army during the Korean War, and attended St. Michael’s College and Villanova University. A devout Catholic, he was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine, FL, and had previously been a member of Sacred Heart Church in Stamford, CT, as well as San Sebastian in St. Augustine, FL. He was a successful Insurance Salesman for over 35 years in Stamford CT.

An enthusiastic athlete and creative spirit, Michael excelled in baseball and tennis and had a passion for art and dance. He was drafted by the Boston Braves in 1949, the same year he became the MVP of the New England Baseball Championship as a pitcher for the Stamford Advocates. During his senior season pitching for the St. Basil’s Prep, he threw 7 no-hitters and maintained an ERA of 0.036 and never gave up more than 4 hits in any game. He also triumphed in several tennis tournaments, most notably the Doctor Seeley Memorial Tennis Tournament in 1973 and 1976, as well as the National Public Parks Tennis Tournament at Scalzi Park in 1978.

Michael was not only a man of immense skill in sports and a devout believer, but he was also a beacon of friendship and compassion. Known for his generous and kind nature, Michael made meaningful connections everywhere he went. He was a highly valued and passionate member of the St. Augustine Atlantic Beach and Tennis Club, where he was both a formidable opponent and a cherished teammate. Tennis was more than just a game to Michael; it was a platform for teaching, mentorship, and building lifelong relationships. For Michael, loyalty and friendship weren’t just words; they were principles he lived by. His warm personality and genuine care for others earned him a wide circle of friends who would attest to his unforgettable impact on their lives.

Michael is survived by his brother, Frank “Buddy” Vartuli, his sisters, Catherine Vartuli Buchetto and Philomena “Lucy” Vartuli Cardin, his sister-in-law Jeanette Latte Vartuli, his brother-in-law Richard J. Cardin and his 13 beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Janet Case Vartuli, his sister Mary Vartuli Cassone, and brothers-in-law Victor Cassone and Dr. Peter J. Buchetto.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, October 6th, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Lacerenza Macari Family Funeral Home, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue in Stamford CT. Burial will immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue, Darien, CT.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.lacerenzafh.com.