Staff Sgt. Michael Ottolini,
Age: 45 Hometown: Sebastopol, CA Date of Death: 11/10/2004 Incident Location: Balad, Iraq,
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Staff Sgt.
Unit: 579th Engineer Battalion
Unit's Base: Petaluma, Calif.
A member of the California National Guard since 1979, Michael Ottolini spent more than half his life training for whatever task the Guard sent his way. "His biggest satisfaction was out of doing whatever the Guard would do," his brother, Jay Ottolini said. "The other thing was just a living to get by, but whenever the Guard called, he was gone. Didn't matter what." Ottolini, 45, of Sebastopol, Calif., was killed Nov. 10 by a roadside explosion in Balad, Iraq. He was stationed in Petaluma, Calif. Ottolini, who leaves behind a wife and two children, sent almost daily e-mails to his family and was frustrated with the lack of supplies, a severe injury to a close friend and the large number of young Iraqi victims of the war. "Mike had no regrets being there, because he believed in what he was doing," Jay Ottolini said. "Right or wrong he backed the American flag and took his orders." Michael Ottolini told his brother recently that he was planning to go to Germany for a hernia operation after one more mission. That was the last time they spoke.
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Michael C. (Mickie) Ottolini OTTOLINI, Michael C. (Mickie) Died in Iraq while serving his country on November 10, 2004 at age 45. Michael was born, raised, and educated in Sonoma County. He was a 27-year veteran Sgt. First Class with the National Guard. He enjoyed being with family and serving with the Guard. Michael is survived by his wife Sharon Ottolini, daughter Stephanie Coleman and husband Geoff, son Darrell Ottolini and wife Sonja, mother Jackie Cruz, father Daniel Ottolini, brothers Danny Ottolini, Jay Ottolini, Steven Ottolini, Joe Ottolini, and Terry Carillo, sisters Betty Joe Hibbler, Maria Andrade, and Teresa Messouri, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services with full military honors will be held 11:00 a.m., Sunday, November 21, 2004 at PLEASANT HILLS MEMORIAL PARK & MORTUARY, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd. Sebastopol, CA. Reception to follow at the Santa Rosa Armory. Donations in his memory may be made to the, SFC Michael Ottolini Memorial Trust Fund, c/o West America Bank, Fulton and Guerneville Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. CHEDA & LYONS