Michael L. Camelia Obituary

Michael L. Camelia, 70, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Michael was born in Melrose, Massachusetts to the late Ruth Camelia (Caverly), and the late Luis Camelia. Growing up in West Gloucester and Magnolia, Michael developed a great love for the outdoors; he loved sailing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and motorcycling. He also developed an early love of sports and would play pond hockey, baseball (left-handed!) and tennis. He would later take up distance running for fun. He got into infinite trouble with his best, and lifelong friend, Paul Edmunds.

He graduated from Gloucester High School in 1972 and went on to earn an Associates in Fire Protection from North Shore Community College, and took various courses at UMass Lowell, studying anything and everything he could. A natural born leader, Michael started his own successful cleaning business and worked as a contractor. During this time, Michael and his first wife, Allison (Parkhurst) welcomed their first son, Berin. At UMass Lowell, he learned the foundations for plastics and manufacturing that would give him the skills to jumpstart his career, eventually becoming a plant manager at Sensormatic. In 1987. Michael was given the opportunity to facilitate the opening of a new plant in Moca, Puerto Rico, so he moved his second wife Patricia and his two young children Jusin and Leanne to Puerto Rico. There, he spent over a decade dedicated to his career and taking his family to explore the island. His love of the outdoors was shared with his children with frequent visits to the beach, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, climbing palm trees, and body surfing. Michael, the adventure enthusiast, also brought his five children to explore rainforests and caves. At this time, Patricia and Michael welcomed their daughters Elise and Genna. In 1997, Michael and his family were moved to Florida where he continued to progress in his career, eventually achieving a Six Sigma, Black Belt certification and a position as a Director of Quality Assurance. He co-authored a patent for cameras that are used in the security industry and worked on highly successful European projects. His 40-year career gave him the opportunity to travel all over Europe and develop a special fondness for Ireland. Michael was a complete gearhead and could fix any motorcycle or car. He could super-charge cars to race in New Hampshire, rebuild a cafe racer a day before making a road trip from Massachusetts to Florida, diagnose any issue by a detailed description of the incident over the phone, and scare the tar out of a used car sales' man by listening to an engine with a screwdriver.

Michael is survived by his eldest son, Berin Camelia of Florida, Justin Camelia, and his wife Liz Camelia of Washington; his daughter, Leanne Boyce, and her husband Thomas Boyce of Massachusetts; his daughter, Elise Hurley and her husband Derek Hurley of Massachusetts, and his daughter, Genna Camelia and her partner Christian Bergh of Massachusetts. He is survived by his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Natalie, Nora, Logan, and Maverick.

Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with a service starting at 11am. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. His burial will follow in Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.