VALLEY DIGEST : Northridge’s Micelli Attending to Funeral Plans for His Father

While most Cal State Northridge basketball players were finding other places to live Friday in the aftermath of Monday’s 6.6 earthquake, center Peter Micelli was helping with funeral arrangements for his father.

Nicholas Micelli, 50, was found dead in a Camarillo motel room Thursday, the victim of an apparent heart attack. A 10 a.m. burial Mass will be held Monday at Good Shepard Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.

Micelli, a prominent lawyer, was among the basketball team’s most enthusiastic supporters, attending all of the Matadors’ games.

“My heart goes out to Peter and his family,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said. “It is crushing to all of us. He was close to the kids and supported Peter tremendously.

“He was an extremely giving man. He always looked to help young people and people who weren’t as fortunate as he was.”

Micelli was on his way to San Francisco to work on a case when he stopped at the motel Wednesday night because he was not feeling well, Northridge spokesman Barry Smith said. Earlier in the day he stopped at Peter’s rented Northridge home to drop off food and supplies for students who were staying there after being displaced by the earthquake.

Micelli is survived by his wife, Frances, Peter and daughters Pauline and Maria.