Michael Curcio, 57, of Meyers Meadow residences in Lisbon, went to be home with his Heavenly Father at 11:20 a.m. Jan. 18, 2015. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Lisbon United Methodist Church. Michael was born March 7, 1957. He was marred May 8, 2010, to Valarie Smith at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas. The ceremony was planned by her parents, Lawrence and Mary Smith of Bertram. Michael and Valarie met 14 1/2 years ago at the Pizza Hut in Las Vegas. She was chief dishwasher and he was a pizza delivery driver. He changed his schedule so that he could help do dishes. They liked singing the Carpenters' "On Top of the World," Bette Midler's "The Wind Beneath My Wings," and Cat Stevens' "Morning has Broken." When they visited Cedar Rapids two years ago, they really enjoyed the Christmas Spectacular at the new Paramount Theater and "Meet Me in St. Louis," performed at the Theatre Cedar Rapids. Michael's father was in the Air Force and the family moved often. His dad worked as a weapons transporter and was stationed in Lompoc, Calif.; Newfoundland Canada; Orlando, Fla.; and Bolingbrook, Ill. Michael's father also worked at a truck weigh station; Michael's mother worked at the weigh station and at T.J. Maxx. Michael seemed to enjoy traveling around the country. He loved baseball and supported the St. Louis Cardinals. Michael lived in Las Vegas for 25 years. He had lived at Meyers Meadow for a couple of months, moving there on the recommendation of Valarie's parents so that he could be treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals for his jaw cancer (squamaus cell carcinoma). He really loved prayer times over him, especially with his mother-in-law, Mary. Michael is survived by his wife, Valarie Ann Smith-Curcio of Meyers Meadow of Lisbon; his sister, Evelyn Wellington of Rockford, Ill.; brother, James Curcio of Las Vegas; niece, Angela Larrison and her children, Rosie and Ricky Markham, of Loves Park, Ill.; and a nephew, James Larrison (Tammy MIller) of Rockford. He always bragged about his niece Angie and her children, Rosie and Rick. They were a real joy to him. Uncle Mike liked to surprise them with gifts of love. Michael worked as a cab driver in Las Vegas, driving the very famous as well as the very poorest to their destinations. He was really funny a cut-up and a joker. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He lived in Las Vegas for 25 years. Michael liked restaurants in Chicago like Rosati's, Lou Malnati's and Pizza Uno. He remembers loving to eat long and hearty Italian meals with his family lots and lots of pasta and meatballs. Michael and Valarie enjoyed outings to places like Zion National Park in Utah, Mount Charleston of Nevada, the Wynn Buffet of Las Vegas and near the western end of U.S. Hwy. 30, a town called Oatman, Ariz., where donkeys rule the town. He enjoyed working with his father-in-law, Larry Smith, talking computer language. Michael was a computer geek. His grand-niece, Rosie, said: "I know you tried your best to fight the cancer. I will always love you Uncle Mike. Jesus is with you now and still in all our hearts." The family would like to thank everyone for their support. Donations can be directed to Lisbon United Methodist Church for the stained glass window fund and Michael's medical expenses.