Father Michael S. Scarcello, 86, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, at Generations Assisted Living and Wellness.

Father Scarcello was born on Sept. 15, 1927, in Twin Lakes, Idaho, to Ippolito "Paul" and Elizabeth (Sicilia) Scarcello, joining sisters Hazel and Loretta. The Scarcello families of Frank and Angelina, Antonio and Josephine, Giuseppe and Ruby who resided nearby helped provide him with a rich Italian culture.

Fr. Mike attended the Ramsey one-room school and graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1946. He enjoyed sports, and was on the winning Rathdrum Panther's basketball team (photo currently displayed at Stein's Market in Rathdrum). Fr. Mike received the sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rathdrum. He entered St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore, Wash., and was ordained on May 10, 1956, in Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane, Wash., by Bishop Bernard J. Topel for the Diocese of Boise, which was being run by an administrator after Bishop James J. Byrne was installed as Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa, two days earlier.

Fr. Mike said his first Mass on May 27, 1956, at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rathdrum.

Following a temporary assignment at St. John Cathedral in Boise in 1956, he served as associate pastor at Holy Rosary in Idaho Falls from 1956-1962. He was pastor at St. Charles, and its missions and chapels, in Salmon from 1962-1970; at St. Catherine's in Priest River, and St. Blanche's at Priest Lake, from 1970-1980; at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Rathdrum, and St. Joseph's in Spirit Lake, from 1980-1992.

From 1992-1998, Fr. Mike served as Pastoral Care supervisor for St. Stanislaus and St. Joseph's before transitioning into retirement on July 1, 1998. He felt that one of his greatest achievements was to direct the building of the Treinen Parish Hall adjacent to St. Stanislaus. Even when donations were slow he could find the money magically and keep the building momentum going.

Fr. Mike was a parish priest for more than 50 years, and it would be easy to understate the countless lives he has touched and those who have touched his life. Whether you were a parishioner, cousin, neighbor or an old classmate, Fr. Mike would surprise you by always remembering your name and picking up the conversation where the last one ended.

Along with his vocation as a priest, Fr. Mike also followed in his parent's footsteps and was a steward of the land and cattle on his ranch. Summers you could find him cutting, baling and hauling hay. Winters you could find him tending his cattle on stormy winter nights only to see him later catching a high school basketball game. He prided himself on being an Idaho cattleman, and the Priest River parishioners nicknamed him their "Cowboy Priest."

Fr. Mike was preceded in death by Hazel (Roman) Brunner, Theresa Brunner, Albert Brunner, Jerome Brunner, Roman M. Brunner-Jolley, Loretta (Peter J.) Niland, Laurence (Foucher) Niland and Joseph M. Niland.

Fr. Mike is survived by his nephews and nieces - Tom (Sally) Brunner, Suzanne Brunner, Francis (Connie) Brunner, Michael Brunner, Anita (Steve) Carlson and Geoffrey (Sue) Brunner; Peter Niland, Paula Maria Niland, Patricia Niland, Michael Niland, Gerald (Conny) Niland and Stephen Niland; and their families.

Thank you to the Generations staff for the loving care given to Father Mike in his last years. He was one of God's greatest treasures!

Viewing will be held from 6-7 p.m., with vigil at 7 p.m. today, Sept. 5., 2014, Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, all at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, corner of McCarthy and Second Avenue in Rathdrum. Burial will be at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum.

Please visit Father Mike's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.