East Haven Mourns Mike Streeto, 67, Rock Icon, Who Died Unexpectedly

EAST HAVEN, CT — A drummer since middle school, Michael Streeto was a local legend both for being a renowned drummer in myriad bands including Beatlegagcy playing from Atlantic City to Vegas, and as a beloved fixture at Stop & Shop where he worked for nearly a half century and had only a few months ago, retired from.

Sunday, on his way home from a gig in New York, Streeto, 67, died unexpectedly.

The outpouring of love, and also shock and grief over his death, is omnipresent on social media.

This post is from his longtime friend Myles Standish, who created a Go FundMe to help pay for his funeral expenses.

We have lost a great musician and my best friend of 50 years. I have no words to describe how I feel right now, because he meant that much to me. All I can say is that I am grateful for his brotherly friendship and the opportunity to have played with Mike in many musical projects over the years, including playing on my originals, show groups such as The Clear Lake Band, (Buddy Holly Tribute) and Hey Tonight, (CCR Tribute) as well as The Sands (Top 40/show group) and Ish & O, our Duo. Michael also was in an Elvis Tribute Show with Louie D, and played across the country as Ringo with a number of Big Beatles Tribute shows, wrote for a couple of Beatles Fan magazines and had his own local TV access show. Most of all, he was my friend and he will be very missed. R.I.P. Mike Streeto

Another, from his high school friend, John Paolillo.

Mike Streeto you were one of my best friends in the world since high school. We just talked Thursday afternoon and he was telling me about his upcoming gig. Before we hung up we both said I love you. RIP Mike.

According to his obituary on the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home website, "Michael was a loving father, grandfather, companion, brother and friend. He has been playing the drums since he was 10 years old....He just retired five months ago from Stop & Shop with over 49 years of service, including working with Yale University in the TR&S Department. Michael was a generous man, always willing to help and donate his time, especially with the East Haven Fall Festival and filming with ETV."

Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, Aug. 1 in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven.