Education (Alicia): Foothill High School
Abstract: Gary Miceli grew up as an only child in San Jose, CA. His grandparents
made the voyage from Italy to Ellis Island in 1905. Gary’s father Ben worked
at Lockheed, a company that dealt with space missions and explorations. His
mother Eleanor stayed at home taking care of her husband and son. Neither of
his parents attended college. Gary attended Catholic high school at Bellerman.
After high school, Gary attended two years at San Jose State beginning in
1973, leaving without a degree because of his marriage to high school sweetheart
Jane in 1976. After marrying, he began to support his wife by working as a
carpet installer at S & G carpet. After several years of work, Gary and his
brother- and -law bought out the company in 1989. Together, they turned the
one carpet store into a chain of ten all around the Bay Area.
Jane Miceli (formally Jane Ratajczak) also grew up in San Jose, CA.
Jane’s family was of a Polish background, and her grandparents too came to the
United States via Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Jane’s father Paul worked
for a company that sold car parts to gas stations. Jane’s mother Laurie stayed
at home where she raised seven children, Jane being the fourth oldest. Neither
of Jane’s parents attended college. Jane went to Presentation High School,
where she met Gary, and became engaged during senior year. After high school,
Jane attended one semester at San Jose State, and one semester at West Valley,
leaving college to tend to her pregnancy and husband. Her other seven siblings
also attended a couple semesters of college, although none graduated.
Gary and Jane Miceli now live in Pleasanton, CA with three girls, two
having graduated college, and one just beginning. Gary continues to expand his
company, while Jane went back to school and received her AA degree at Las
Positas College before working part time at a travel agency.
According to Saint Mary’s, I am a first generation college student. The
strength that my mother had to go back and complete a degree along with both
my sister’s degrees at private universities gives me integrity and
determination to complete my college story.
Keywords: immigrant, first generation, Associate's Degree, Ellis Island
The Miceli Family at graduation.
The Miceli Family in Italy. |
