Willow Glen wasn't much different than it is now when Michael Burriesci and his bride of seven years, Mary Lou, moved to the community in 1956.

There were no monster homes, Starbucks or Jamba Juices, but there was a bustling downtown and neighborhoods filled with nice-looking, well-kept homes. And community-minded residents were bent on improving the quality of life for their families.

Michael and Mary Lou Burriesci set out to do just that. During the 49 years he lived in Willow Glen, Michael Burriesci was an active member of his community.

Michael Thomas Burriesci Sr. died on April 29. He was 77.

Burriesci was born on Nov. 26, 1927 in San Jose and lived his entire life in the city. He and Mary Lou were married on Jan. 16, 1949, and seven years later moved their young family to Willow Glen where Burriesci got involved in the community.

He owned and operated a Shell gas station at the corner of Minnesota and Alma avenues for five years. It was one of three service stations he owned in downtown San Jose. He would later leave the business to become a service writer and dispatcher at Don Lucas BMW until his retirement.

Burriesci was a member of the San Jose Elks Club, the Sons of Sicily, the Civic Club and Los Pescadores. After his retirement, he and other retirees in the community formed what they called the "Liars Club," getting together to swap stories at Le Boulanger, the site of the old Bergman's Department Store on Lincoln Avenue. He was also involved in the Founder's Day Parade, driving his 1929 Ford Model A.

Burriesci was a volunteer from 1968-74 in the Willow Glen Little League, serving as a coach and board member. He was instrumental in the construction of the league's snack shack and home run fence in 1970.

When the league lost its minor division field in 1970, Burriesci went to visit his former schoolmate, Norman Mineta, and use of the field was restored. He also solicited donations from the San Jose Elks to rebuild the backstop at the field.

Burriesci was a referee for the Peninsula Soccer League in the Willow Glen High School summer league in the late 1970s.

Burriesci is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lou; his daughters and sons-in-law Diane and John Ripley and Rayanne and Bill Goveia; his son and daughter-in-law Michael Jr. and Sandra Burriesci; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.