RAYMOND MARCEL MICHEL

Raymond Marcel Michel, 83, passed away on March 3, 2023. Raymond was born to Marcel M. Michel and Margaret M. (Iacopetti) Michel on July 1, 1939 in Bakersfield, California.  He was an only child and such a  blessing to his parents. 

Raymond Graduated in the Class of 1957 at Bakersfield High School, where he met and married his high school sweetheart Donna (Dawn).   He was a great husband. They had a beautiful marriage of 64 years and 5 months.  They supported each other doing everything together, hobbies, work around the house, cooking, home construction and so much more. Family was the most important part of Raymond’s life.  He would and did everything for his whole family and anyone that needed help. Raymond served in the United States Navy for a short time before receiving an Honorable Discharge. 

 Shortly after getting married, Raymond began working for The City of Bakersfield Corporation Yard, where he built his career through many areas ending as a master mechanic and retiring as Supervisor II, over the Mechanics Shop at the Corporation Yard and the Bakersfield Police Department Mechanics Shop, after 34 1/2 years, with the nick name, “Kojak”. After a short retirement, for the man that did not know life without working, he began working for his son-in-law at Pavletich Electric and Communications for the next 10 years, retiring in 2007 to babysit his Granddaughter.

He was an amazing daddy to his 3 daughters.  Surrounded by his wife, daughters and his mom, he had so much love for us all and worked very hard to build a good life for us. He was an accomplished Accordion player.  He was a Jack of all trades.  He could fix anything, and he did. He taught us everything he could and anyone that wanted to learn.  If you had a question, he had the answer. He enjoyed helping and getting involved with his youngest daughter and his 6 grandchildren with their Kern County Fair Livestock Projects and helping his wife with The Doll Exhibit booth. 

 Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Marcel M. Michel and Margaret M (Iacopetti) Michel. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife ( his high school sweetheart) Dawn Y. (Yates) Michel, Daughters, Marlene Fanucchi, Annette Pavletich (Scott), Celestine Henry (Keith), Son-in-law, George Fanucchi, Grandchildren, Christina Fanucchi-Joughin (Christoffer), Gino Fanucchi ( Tiffany, Jason Pavletich, Courtney Pavletich (Nick Childers), Nickolas Henry ( Clara ) and Aubrey Henry. Great-grandchildren, Kloe, Gia and Bettina Fanucchi, Gianni Joughin and Carter Childers. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Hua Lin of Bakersfield, and also the Excellent team of doctors from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Dr. Kurt Chang, Dr. Dimitri Karayev, Dr Gary Leach, Dr Katayoun Omrani, Dr Brian Perri and Dr Shadi Yaghoubian. 

Visitation will be held at Doughty Calhoun, O’Meara Funeral Home, 1100 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, on Thursday April 20, 2023. from 3:00-7:30 pm. Services are scheduled at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 900 “H” Street. Bakersfield, California 93304 on Friday, April 21, 2023. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Historic Union Cemetery Mausoleum

 If you wish to make a contribution in Raymond’s honor, the family suggests The Arthritis Foundation, The National Psoriasis Foundation, or The National Cancer Institute.