Michael Mario Xuereb: Made his mark in food and real estate

07:05 AM CDT on Thursday, March 22, 2007
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

Michael Mario Xuereb, a native of Malta, became a successful Dallas real estate entrepreneur and restaurateur.

The businesses complemented each other, and for several years, beginning in the late 1980s, Mr. Xuereb operated both in northeast Dallas.

"He always used to brag to everybody that he took care of the two basic needs: food and shelter," said his son Michael J. Xuereb of Dallas.

"You could come on in to him and, in an evening, walk out with a full belly and a house, if you wanted one."

Mr. Xuereb, 67, died Sunday of complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

A funeral Mass for Mr. Xuereb will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

He will be entombed in Calvary Hill Mausoleum.

"He just loved people, obviously," his son said.

Born in Tarxien, Malta, Mr. Xuereb grew up in a family of 11 children.

He majored in theology and philosophy at the University of Rome before he immigrated to Detroit in 1963 to be near an uncle who lived there.

Mr. Xuereb didn't like Detroit and moved to the Dallas area, where his brother, the Rev. Publius Xuereb, had been assigned after being ordained. Father Xuereb is pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in The Colony.

Mr. Xuereb attended what is now the University of Texas at Arlington and received his master's degree in English from the University of Dallas, while teaching Italian one day a week at Richland College.

He attended law school at Southern Methodist University but changed his career plans after his mother died in Malta.

In 1972, he and two brothers opened an Italian restaurant, Mike's Spaghetti Inn, on East Mockingbird Lane at Skillman Street. His brothers later returned to Malta, but Mr. Xuereb stayed with the business, where he met many real estate professionals.

By the early 1980s, Mr. Xuereb, who had dabbled in real estate since his law school days, decided to focus on the profession, his son said.

"That's when he started working for Merrill Lynch; he got his real estate license and went to work for Merrill Lynch and did very well," his son said.

Mr. Xuereb then started Michael's Realty Inc., which specialized in property in East Dallas and Lakewood. In addition to helping people buy and sell homes, he invested in properties and became a landlord.

By the late 1980s, he decided to re-enter the restaurant business: He opened the Spaghetti Inn, this time in Hillside Village at Mockingbird Lane and Hillside Drive. His real estate office was right next door.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Xuereb gave up his second restaurant to attend all his son's football games at Bishop Lynch High School in the early 1990s.

In addition to his brother and son, Mr. Xuereb is survived by his wife, Mary Carmel Xuereb of Dallas; another son, Colin Xuereb of Dallas; and several other brothers and five sisters, who are scattered around the world.

Memorials may be made to the North Texas ALS Association, 1231 Greenway Drive, Suite 270, Irving, Texas 75038.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


C. George Brower
PLEASANT VALLEY - C. George Brower, "Popcorn Man", 66, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Valley died Monday, March 19, 2007 at his home after a brave and courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was lovingly cared for at home by his family and friends. Mr. Brower was employed by Norki Energy Systems in Poughkeepsie prior to his illness. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley. Born in Sharon, CT on June 9, 1940, he was the son of the late Clayton Edward Brower and Dorcas Honour Brower who resides in Hyde Park. After graduating from Arlington High School he joined the Air Force and served 4 years. He then signed on with the US Navy Sea Bee Reserves, retiring after 28 years of service. On May 28, 1965 at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, George married Joyce Purdy. Mrs Brower survives at home. George had a great love for people and spent many years with his antique popcorn wagons at fairs, flea markets and car shows. He was one of the original members of the Century Museum Village demonstrating with his collection of old time antique engines and other collectibles. He also loved collecting music boxes and carousel items, traveling around the country to many meets. Wheels were his passion and he loved restoring old cars. We would like to thank his many friends from the car community who have supported us during George's illness. In addition to his wife Joyce and mother Dorcas, George is survived by his son Jeff, daughter in law Aimee and the light of his life, granddaughter Isabella all of San Francisco,CA; sisters, Kathy Blackwell and husband Rory of Hyde Park and Nancy Heriegel and husband Mert of Florida; brothers, David Brower of AZ., and Peter and his wife Gayle of Pleasant Valley; mother in law, Anne Purdy of Pleasant Valley; sister in law, Ida Mikula and husband Mike of Pleasant Valley; and brother in law, Edward Purdy and wife Carole of OK. George was able to experience some wonderful adventures/interests with his many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 pm at Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main St., Pleasant Valley. Funeral services will be held Friday 11 am from Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Main St., Pleasant Valley. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in George's memory to Pleasant Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 417, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569 or Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 664, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569. If you would like to send the family a condolence and for directions, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com