Joseph Michael "Mike" Accardi

Joseph Michael “Mike” Accardi, age 68, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, passed away December 7, 2017. He was surrounded by his loving family and passed away peacefully.

Mike was born April 12, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Joe and Isabelle Accardi. He was the eldest of four children and grew up in Holy Rosary Parrish. He attended Catholic High School for Boys where he excelled in both academics and athletics. Mike went on to graduate with a BA in English from Memphis State University and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Mike remained a diehard Tigers fan. In 2011, he was inducted into the Memphis Catholic High School Hall of Fame and continued as an active member of the Hall of Fame Committee.

Four months after meeting the love of his life and best friend, Judy Fortner, they wed on January 6, 1973. They remained devoted to each other for 44 years. Mike was the consummate salesman. He achieved numerous accolades for excellence throughout his 40-year career in packaging sales.

Mike is survived by his wife, Judy Accardi of Somerville, TN; three children, Angel Hawksby of Germantown, TN, Joey Accardi (Charla) of Germantown, TN, Wyndynne Throneberry of Eads, TN; and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, David Accardi (Donna) of Knoxville, TN; and two sisters, Sondra Morrison of Collierville, TN and Fancy Huie (Jeff) of Oneonta, AL.

Mike was a lifelong devout Catholic, a devoted husband and a doting father and grandfather. If Mike ever met you, he never forgot you and he made you feel special. He was a storyteller extraordinaire and loved to entertain, cook for everyone and was passionate about passing along his family traditions.  He welcomed everyone with open arms and wanted to share his love of his family with all.

A Recitation of the Rosary was held at 7 P.M. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 10 A.M. at St Philip The Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville. The officiating ministers were Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, Rev. Robert Favazza and Father Stephen Kenny. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Education That Works at the Memphis Catholic High School , 61 N. McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104 or St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 11710 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068.