Dr. Michael Centrella

Centrella, Dr. Michael. Age 64, born July 22, 1949, of Golden Valley, MN, formerly of Drexel Hill, PA passed away on December 11, 2013 after a brief but virulent bout with a rare form of liver cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Evelyn LaTerza and a brother Dominic. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years Nina Sofia Mecca and children; son Louis Rocco (Julie) (grandchildren Lily and Ella), son Michael Dominic (Sunny) and daughter Laura Concetta Greenwell (Patrick), four siblings: Susan, Nicholas, Louis and Norma Burns, and 13 nieces and nephews. Dr. Centrella graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1967 and Villanova University in 1971, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1976 and University of Minnesota in 1996. Doctor Centrella served as instructor at the LaPort Medical Center 1976-1979, and was a General Practitioner in the Phildelphia area for 11 years. He was board certified in family practice medicine and psychiatry. He practiced addiction and adult psychiatry in the Twin Cities, Minnesota working in many rehabilitation programs: Hazelden, St. Peter, the VA, River Ridge, Cedar Ridge, Twin Town, Recovery Resources, Northern Integrated Health and Associates in Psychiatry and Psychology in Faribault and Rochester. He was a published author in the literature of psychiatry having achieved this status in the January 1994 edition with the publication “Physician Addiction and Impairment: Current Thinking” in the Journal of Addictive Diseases where he was also named Resident of the Year for that paper. The article was acknowledged as the best published paper by a resident from the University of Minnesota and was adopted as the first chapter for the American Society of Addiction Medicine textbook. He reveled in all things art and Italian. He was a subscriber to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Guthrie Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Chicago Symphony. His favorite pastimes included reading, opera, arts, classical music and piano, cooking, gardening, traveling, learning Italian, and spending time with his family. Dr. Centrella’s greatest pride was his children. Donations in his memory may be made to Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (408 St Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102) or Plymouth Alano Alcoholic Anonymous (Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, 600 Hopkins Crossroad, Minnetonka, MN 55305). A dedication website will be setup here: www.drmichaelcentrella.com. A mass of the Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, MN. Visitation began at 11:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 12:30. Graveside interment service will be held at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery (1600 S. Sproul Road Springfield, PA) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2014. Enter the cemetery at the main gate, SS. Peter and Paul Drive. Follow it as it circles the main building and keep going. Take second right, Visitation Drive, gravesite on right.

Tributes

Dr. Michael Centrella

December 11, 2013

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203