Mike Ventimiglia was born in Monterey Hospital in 1944 to parents Mike and Florence (Iannotta) Ventimiglia. He was one of four children, two girls and two boys. He attended Del Monte grammar school, Walter Colton Junior High, Monterey High school and Monterey Peninsula College. He served his country in the army during Vietnam War. Returning home he was employed with the Monterey Fire Department, a career spanning 54 years.
Mike has authored numerous articles for the Fire Service magazines and Fire Journals on various subjects. He has written two books for Arcaded Publications on local history "Monterey Fire Department" published in 2012 and a second publication "Italians of the Monterey Peninsula" in 2015.
Mike was president of the Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball for over 20 years and was instrumental in brining the PONY Bronco World Series to Monterey, allowing local youth an opportunity to play in a world class event. He served on the Del Rey Oaks City for over 20 years and served on the Monterey County Grand Jury in 2009. He has a private investigators license and enjoys investigating fires for cause and origin. He was also was an instructor at the Monterey Peninsula Fire Academy for five years. He received the Monterey Peninsula College distinguished Alumni Award in 2008. He has a passion for family genealogy and local Italian history and is a board member on the Italian Heritage Society, which works toward preservation of the Italian heritage. Mike has generously volunteered hours and hours of his time to the Italian Heritage Society helping with photo placement and collecting fishing stories for "Italian Fishing Families of Monterrey and the Italian Heritage Society website.
Mike feels the Lord has blessed him with a great family and his faith in Jesus Christ keeps him strong and attends Shoreline Community Church where he manages the Food and Clothing Pantry providing food, clothing and prayer to those in need. Mike says this simple verse which keeps him strong, "If God is with me who can be against me" with the love of Jesus Christ and the Holy Sprit to guide me the journey is easier.