Obituary of Michael Steven Brocato
On April 23, Michael Steven Brocato, packed up his secret recipes and headed to the ultimate smokehouse up above! He peacefully passed away from complications from the COVID-19 virus at the age of 61 in Shreveport, Louisiana. During his short battle with lung cancer, Mike kept a great positive attitude and a fighting spirit. Born on November 29, 1958 in Shreveport, Louisiana, he graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1977. Living most of his life in Shreveport, he moved to Colorado in the ‘80s where he shared his sense of humor and carefree lifestyle with family and making new friends. When he returned to Shreveport years later, he continued to work in the Grocery Food Service Industry as a meat cutter.
For those who knew Mike (Potato) well, they knew him to be a no nonsense or no sense at all kind of guy! Sometimes you could understand him, sometimes not at all. He was a simple man with a simple plan. “Potato” was the life of a party, who made everyone laugh, often laughing at his own made-up jokes, and he always had a smile anytime you saw him! His favorite pastimes were making and smoking up his own recipes of flavored sausages, grilling, fishing, hunting, and just hanging with family and friends.
His dream was to have his own smokehouse, "Mike’s - Best Smoke Around," and joked about his slogan, “I don’t blow smoke, I make smoke!” And boy, he sure could cook it up! After high school, Mike starting working at Piggly Wiggly, and for over 40 years, he made a name for himself as a meat cutter and butcher with Kroger, Safeway, County Market & Cotton’s. A skill that his Italian grandfather had, and one he prided himself with. Mike was given his grandfather's 90-year-old meat grinder which he was very grateful for and continued carrying on his grandfather's family trade. Mike is gone, his dream and secret recipes went with him, but you can be sure when you look to the sky and see something smokin’ or the smell of someone grilling, you might think of Mike and just maybe that dream got a new forever location.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Anthony Brocato Sr and Lucy Madden Brocato and his sister, Doris Marie Larsen. Left to share his laughter & memory is his brother, James (Jimi) Anthony Brocato Jr. - Shreveport LA, his sister, Connie Brocato Geston (Bill) - Carpinteria CA, nieces: Wendi Larsen O’Hara (Gary) - LaJolla, CA, Megan Larsen Patton (Jason) - Arvada Colorado, Lindsay Brocato Montgomery (Julian) - Bossier City, LA, Jamey Geston - CA, grand nieces: Gianna and Madisyn Crandall - CO, Nevaeh Washington - LA. He also leaves behind numerous cousins and a host of long-time friends.
A memorial service and Celebration of Mike’s life to be determined later with family and friends, in Shreveport/Bossier. His wit, laughter and smoked sausage will be greatly missed by his family and friends.