United States Army veteran and Syracuse University alum Modesto “Mike” Chemotti was born in Solvay, New York in 1914. Mike earned an accounting degree from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University in 1938. He also was a member of the 1936 Syracuse University football team, joining the team as a walk-on.
Mike joined the U.S. Army in 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and received quartermaster school training at Camp Lee, Virginia. Chemotti’s unit served in both Morocco and Italy. His proudest military moment came while in Italy when, on June 28th, 1945, he was ordered to supervise travel from Naples in order to secure essential printing supplies for the U. S. Army. Mike attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, and he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following his time in service, Mike married Margaret Heverin. Together they had four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Chemotti was the owner of the Solvay Liquor Store for many years.
Today, Mike is an avid Syracuse University sports and New York Yankees fan. He is also a member of the Tyrol Club and the Geddes Veterans Club. At 103 years old, Mike Chemotti is proud to be one of Syracuse University’s oldest living veterans.