Michael A. Cipriano

ATHENS – Michael A. Cipriano, 62, “Cip” or “Cippy” to those that knew him, passed away suddenly at his home on Oct. 24, 2024.

Michael was born on Sept. 29, 1962, in Attleboro, Mass. to James V. and Blanche Cipriano. In 1980, he met his wife Linda, and they married on June 26, 1981. In 1982 they welcomed their daughter Suzanne M. Cipriano and in 1986 they welcomed their son, Michael A Cipriano, Jr. Originally, from Massachusetts, they moved to Harmony in 1988, where the adventure began.

Michael obtained his CDL license when he 18 and began driving for Sam Cash in North Attleboro, Mass. After moving to Maine, he worked for Vacuum Systems. In 1992, together with his wife, he opened M&L Auto Sales and Repairs first in Harmony, then moving it to Main Street in Athens in 1997. He tinkered for hours in the garage in his younger years, building, and restoring.

Cippy’s passion was Sideview Farms, which he started in 1988 shortly after moving to Maine. We often joked that nothing around his farm was starving. In 2013, the farm moved to Athens. This gave him the opportunity to expand. He took great pride in the animals he raised. He would crab every year about calving and haying season even though he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Michael’s greatest joy in life was when he became a Grampie. His granddaughter, Makayla in 2006, his grandson, Carlton in 2014, each became his little helpers on the farm. Grandson, Devon Pomelow, who joined the family in 2001.

Much like his dad, Michael loved to cook and always made enough to feed an army. He was famous for his spaghetti sauce, softball size meatballs, and not to mention his jerky.

Micheal was predeceased by his parents, James and Blanche; his brothers James, Anthony, and sister, Frances.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda; his daughter, Suzanne and husband Sean, his son, Michael Jr. and wife Shanna; his cherished grandchildren Makayla and Carlton; his brother, John and wife Susan, his brother, Thomas and wife Holly, his sisters Blanche Lyons, Ellen Lavasseur, Margaret and husband Robert Fisher and Catherine and her husband Harry Jordan; several nieces and nephews; and special friends Darren, Charlie, Howie, Ryan, Steve and Taddie.

Linda would like to thank Cippy’s friends that helped around the farm over the last few years.

A celebration of life will be held Nov. 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at T&B Celebration Center in Skowhegan.

In lieu of flowers, because of Michael’s love for children and animals, we ask that you make a donation in Michael’s name to the

Harmony Patriarch’s Club,

P.O. Box 45,

Harmony, ME 04942

so that they can assist children in obtaining an animal for an agricultural project or purchase pigs for future pig scrambles.