Mike was born on May 27, 1936 in Struthers d’Antonio and Florence LaLama Roncone. He graduated in 1954 from Boardman High School. He received his BS and BA degrees from Youngstown State University in 1958. Mike served in the US Air Force Reserve from 1958 to 1964.

Mike married Rita K. Ellis on May 27, 1961, and they were blessed with two daughters, Karen (Scott) Gentile of Nolensville, Tennessee, and Lory Roncone of Canfield; and four wonderful grandchildren, who knew him affectionately as “Papa”, Alyssa, Austin, Jimmy “Jeep” and Nicolina. Mike is also survived by a brother, Gene Roncone.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Anthony Roncone.

Mike’s musical career began at age 14 as a guitarist with the “Twilight Serenaders” and an appearance on “Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour” in Radio City. Mike appeared on Wilkin’s Amateur Hour in Pittsburgh, winning three straight weeks. Soon after, the “Mike Roncone Band” evolved. Mike was a leader, guitarist and singer. The Roncone Band has performed at numerous balls, weddings, proms and dance clubs. Mike was signed by Capitol Records and performed on other labels including Checker and Tammy. The Grammy-nominated Roncone Band has been a mainstay of the Youngstown area for over 60 years, having touched the lives of many performing at Idora Park, Elms Ballroom, Kove, Living Room, Cherry’s, VIP, Kuzman’s and many other establishments offering dance music concerts. The Roncone Band appeared in a television episode of “Route 66” in 1961.

Mike retired in 1999 after 40 years with the Ohio Department of Taxation. He started as a tax agent in 1960, became a supervisor in 1978, and a district manager in 1981. He has attended numerous business workshops throughout the state of Ohio.

He was a long-time member of the Downtown YMCA and was very fond of racquetball. He also liked bowling. He loved all sports and was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians, Ohio State, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of Mike’s favorite pastimes was meeting and photographing Major League Baseball players, getting their autographs and, for many years, attending the Indians’ spring practice games in Florida.

Mike was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Fellowship at YSU and served as the Treasurer and President of the Dinner Dance. He received the AB Flask Outstanding Alumni award from the Youngstown Alumni Association from Phi Alpha Delta in 1995.

Mike was a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 86-242, as vice president, board member, and delegate to five national conventions.

The family will receive friends from 10 am to 11 am on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at St. Christine’s Church in Youngstown, followed by a Christian funeral mass at 11 am, presided over by Reverend John Jerek.

Arrangements in the professional care of the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. to Boardman.

Family and friends can visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send their condolences to Mike’s family.

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