Michael J. Terrafino passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020 at the age of 85. He was born July 22, 1935 in Chicago to Vito and Maddelina (nee Innamorata) Terrafino.
Michael was an Elmhurst resident for 47 years. He was a selfless hardworking man who put his family before himself; he would give you the shirt off his back. Michael was a wonderful provider, a good neighbor, had the gift of giving, and always came to the rescue. He was persistent, gracious, ambitious, helpful and humble.
He was an avid photographer who took thousands of pictures of his family, mostly of his grandchildren. While his love for his family was unwavering, Michael had a passion for cars that started as a young boy and became his lifetime career as an impressive stockcar driver with notable achievements. He was inducted into the Illinois Stockcar Hall of Fame in 2016. As a driver or car owner, he won featured races at Mance Park, O’Hare Stadium, Soldier Field, and Rockford Speedway. He also raced with Fred Lorenzo of Elmhurst and remained friends for years. In the 1960’s, Michael owned and operated his own auto shop and eventually went to work for Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago. During this time, the engineers found him to be the first person to put a block engine into the 427 Camaro, which was featured in the Hot Rod Magazine in 1964 and several publications since.
His daughter Diane Karpman tells this story:
“There was a story published years ago about the first fastest engine put in a Camaro (at that time) but it did not highlight my dad like it should have been,” she said. “He was a mechanic for Nickey Chev and his boss overheard him say ‘a 427 could go in that car.’ The boss asked [my dad], ‘Do you think you can?’ and my dad showed him.
“After that [the boss] took all the credit and my dad left to work for State Farm Insurance. My dad never went back to get the story corrected by I will!”
His hard work inspired his sons to also have successful longtime careers in mechanics.
Michael worked for State Farm Insurance for 31 years as a claims adjustor and finished his career as a fraud investigator.
“State Farm Insurance sent my dad to Mobile Alabama after Hurricane Frederick hit in Sept 1979,” Diane said. “He estimated damage to the cars and every car he witnessed was considered totaled. Even the whole cars and trucks throw into huge trees had to be totaled. The cost to get them out of the trees would cause even more damage.”
He was also a volunteer fireman in Elmhurst with the former Yorkfield Fire Department for about 10 years. Michael’s wife Joanne couldn’t believe with Michael decided to train as a volunteer EMT (emergency medical technician).
“I could not image him spending eight hours in the ER room for the training sessions,” she said. “When his own son was bleeding and needed stitches, he told me to take him to the ER. He could not stand the sight of blood or to see anyone injured. He could not even stand the sight of blood or needles. Even his sister would faint at the sight of a needle and he was always close to fainting too.
“He would give whatever time the accident and victims needed. Went home showered and put on a suit and tie and went to his job at State Farm.”
Michael is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Joanne (nee Ryfeldt) Terrafino; his children Michael J. (Deanna) Terrafino, James (Bonnie Evans) Terrafino, Dave Terrafino, Diane (Mike) Karpman, and Kathryn J. (Dan) Radojkovic; his grandchildren Angela Terrafino, Amanda (Donald Hurst) Terrafino, Michael R. Terrafino, Michael D. Karpman, Garrett Karpman, Quentin C. Karpman, James Terrafino Jr., and Ella Radojkovic; his sister Janet Gagliano; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Joseph (Paula) Terrafino and Rose (Chuck) Mayne.
Services and interment for Michael were private. A “Celebration of Life” is being arranged in the near future but no date or place has been set. All are encouraged to sign the guest book and please post pictures of Michael at pedersenryberg.com/obituary/michael-terrafino.
