Senate Resolution No. 1129

BY: Senator BIAGGI

MOURNING the death of Joseph Migliucci, legendary
restaurateur, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci, legendary Arthur Avenue restaurateur who
took Mario's Restaurant through its 100th year in 2019, died on Monday,
April 6, 2020, at the age of 81, due to complications related to the
novel coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, Born in Manhattan on November 18, 1938, Joseph Migliucci
was the fourth generation of the venerable Migliucci family of chefs and
restaurateurs who opened Mario's Pizzeria in 1919, at 2342 Arthur Avenue
in the Little Italy section of The Bronx; and

WHEREAS, He was the son of Mario and Rose, grandson of Giuseppe and
great grandson of Scolastica whom collectively guided Mario's from a
small pizzeria to a renown Italian eatery patronized and beloved by
multiple generations of customers; and

WHEREAS, His parents urged him to higher education and a
professional career; while studying engineering in college, he decided
on a different course and left to join the family business; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci brought boundless energy, superior
technical and mechanical skills and love for people, food and life to
the restaurant; he learned all facets of the business: cooking,
prepping, cleaning, repairing, purchasing, serving, hosting, marketing
and finances; and

WHEREAS, Trained by Mario and Uncle Clemente, Joseph Migliucci
became both a world class chef and master pizza maker of Mario's
signature thin crust Neapolitan style pies for which it remains famous;
generations of customers fortunate enough to eat a Joseph made pie
attest that no one did it better; and

WHEREAS, Far beyond preparing meals, Joseph Migliucci touched
countless individuals though his acts of love, kindness and friendship;
employees struggling with all kinds of life's obstacles, customers
seeking comfort or advice, fellow businessmen needing assistance,
friends needing help - or bail - and the 'down and out' fighting
addiction needing guidance or a second chance, found it from Joseph; and

WHEREAS, With a gentle heart, large frame and even bigger hands,
Joseph Migliucci provided compassion to his fellow man so many times
that the touching expressions of tribute arising from his sudden
departure are far too many to list; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci displayed his generosity to the end; in
his final days of life at the hospital as his condition deteriorated, he
chose his fate and told the night nurse "... give the ventilator to
somebody else who needs it"; even in these trying times, true to his
nature, he managed to touch the lives of those around him; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci shined when it came to the Migliucci
character, undoubtedly passed down in the genes: making any customer
feel welcomed like family; his smile and sincere inquiry of a patron's
satisfaction with their dining was second to none; his genuine dialogue
concerning a customer's health, family or one of his favorite topics,
how to fix a car, rounded out a truly pleasant meal, no matter how small
or big the occasion; and

WHEREAS, He knew the names of customers, their parents and children
and if he could not recall it, you would never know it; many customers
became his lifelong friends; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci was a role model to his family simply by
the way he lived each day; his first marriage produced two daughters,
Regina and Michele; Regina ran Mario's at her father's side for the last
31 years and takes over the restaurant's reigns; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci's subsequent marriage to Barbara is to
this day, 49 years later, a testament to Sinatra's classic "The Second
Time Around"; it was not an easy order for Joseph, the commitment
included Barbara's two sons; undaunted, he raised them as his own with
Michael becoming a master chef and Christopher, at Joseph's insistence,
a successful trial attorney; together, Joseph and Barbara had two
children, Nicole and Mario; Mario cheffed at the restaurant; and Joseph
Migliucci is survived by his wife, Barbara; the six children; 16
grandchildren and three great grandchildren; as well as his sister,
Diane Lentini; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci would want you to know that his
granddaughter, Lauren, is a nurse at White Plains Hospital and due to
coronavirus protocols precluding any family members presence, she was
the only family there; at his request, she tirelessly stayed by his side
comforting him and holding his hand; in addition to coordinating
facetime phone calls with loved ones, Lauren arranged a group call with
Joseph's wife, most of the children, and many grandchildren that Joseph
desired near the end; and

WHEREAS, Lauren represented the entire loving family at Joseph's
side; he gave her money from his wallet, telling her it was for her
birthday, two weeks away, in case he was not there; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Migliucci inspired all who knew him with his
exemplary morals and ethics and instilled those values in so many; the
world is a better place for the mark he left on it; he will be truly
missed by many; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Joseph Migliucci, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Joseph Migliucci.