Michael Mauro Paparella

Feb. 13, 1933 - Nov. 20, 2024 Dr. Michael M. Paparella, age 91, of Minneapolis, died peacefully at home on November 20, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and children. The son of Italian immigrants, Michael Mauro Paparella was born on February 13, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan to Vincenzo (Vincent) and Angiolina (Angelina) Paparella. He graduated from Cass Technical High School and started attending the University of Michigan at age 16. Alongside his pre-med studies, he loved playing music and organized the University's first Pep Band. Michael graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1957. After serving his country in Germany during the Cold War, Michael accepted a position at Harvard University's Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1963, he became the first clinical associate and otologist at Ohio State University's growing Department of Otolaryngology, where his hunger for science and research began to flourish. At age 33, Michael was appointed Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Paparella's calling to his medical specialty originated from his early days in general practice residency at Henry Ford Hospital, where he was profoundly impacted by the wide range of inner ear problems he triaged. What followed was a remarkable career and myriad contributions in the renaissance era of Otology, both in research and practice. Michael connected his affinity for music to his choice to help people experience the joy of sound. Raised during the Great Depression, his humble childhood and non-privileged social class inspired his can-do spirit and non- traditional approaches to his work. He pioneered new procedures and created tools to alleviate and/or cure diseases of the ear. All over the world, many thousands of infants, young children, and adults have received life altering benefits from the Paparella Ventilation Tube. Early in his career, Michael started a personal archive of human temporal bones that is now the Paparella Otopathology & Ear Pathogenesis Laboratory, one of the largest research collections in the world. In 1985, Dr. Paparella established the Paparella Ear, Head and Neck Institute. In collaboration with the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota, the Institute has earned an international reputation for the research, training, and treatment of ear conditions. Michael believed in empowering future generations, and he trained hundreds of ear specialists throughout the world who have become leaders in the field, and who continue to be productive in education, research, and patient care. In 1985, Michael founded the International Hearing Foundation, whose mission supports otological research, postgraduate education, service to patients both local and global, public awareness, and advocacy. Wife Treva served as the executive director of IHF from 1990 to 2024. Michael served on the National Institutes of Health board and subsequently helped develop the National Institutes of Deafness and Communicative Disorders which substantially increased funding for Otology research. In addition, he was elected to the American Board of Otolaryngology as an examiner from 1968 to 1986. Since his first award-winning research publication in 1961, Michael published more than 700 groundbreaking scientific papers and 65 books, including his biography, "Just Another Immigrant's Son." As a doctor, Michael was known to his colleagues, residents, fellows, nurses, and patients as a compassionate, caring physician who embraced the unique circumstances of every person entering his clinic. "Doc, you gave me my life back" was a common post-op refrain from his patients. He continued to perform delicate inner ear surgeries well into his 80's. Michael's life-long love of tennis transcended two knee replacements and hip surgeries, and he joyfully played the game until the year of his passing. Other interests included playing the trumpet, reading, investing, walks along the Lake of the Isles, international travel, and winter getaways with wife Treva to their vacation home in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Michael demonstrated an expansive and inclusive understanding of "familia." For him, family wasn't just a collection of people related by blood, but a bond of love and respect that had no boundaries. Michael's faith compelled him to love God with his whole heart and honor the commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself." Michael lived a life of grace and gratitude and practiced the virtue of giving back and paying forward. The same spirit of curiosity that drove his breakthrough discoveries and advances in medicine carried on to his humanity. Whether a celebrity or a server at a restaurant, Michael was curious about the lives of others. He lived the prayer of St. Francis, seeking "not so much be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love." Michael is survived by his wife Treva, sons Mark (Ann), Steve (Misty), daughter Lisa (Mark) Leon; stepchildren Shelley Raiola, Brad Munz; granddaughters Laura DaBruzzi (TJ), Miliah Paparella, Alyssa Raiola, Jenna Raiola, Lucy Leon, Lily Leon; grandsons Benjamin Paparella, Mauro Paparella; and great grandsons James DaBruzzi, Arlo DaBruzzi, and Albertino Da Bruzzi. Other family members include Garry Buzard, Anita O'Bryan, Jim (Judy) Buzard, Susan (Gary) Zentz, Rebecca Foreman, and a host of friends from all corners of the world. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Vincenzo Paparella and Angelina (Creati) Paparella, brother Anthony Paparella, sisters Josephine Mele and Elsia McNeill, and first wife Lynn (Behlow) Paparella. The family would like to thank the compassionate and caring staff at Park Nicollet Hospice Care, especially Nurse Nina, and also The Sisters in Harmony, Therese, Joanne and Mary. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at The Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th Street, Minneapolis MN on December 2, at 12:00 PM with a casual lunch reception following the service. Visitation will be at 10:30 AM preceding Mass. Michael will be interred at Lakewood Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Dr. Paparella's life and contributions to the field of Otology, donations can be made to: University of Minnesota Foundation/IHF Fund #25594 (Otopathology Lab) 200 Oak Street East - Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55455 www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Michael Mauro Paparella

February 13, 1933 - November 20, 2024

Tributes

Michael Mauro Paparella

February 13, 1933 - November 20, 2024

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