Joseph A. Pagliaro Sr.

PAGLIARO Joseph A. Pagliaro Sr., age 63, of Antelope Trail, Shelton, entered into rest with his loving family by his side on Monday, June 14, 2004, at Griffin Hospital in Derby. He was the devoted husband of Ellen Gerrity Pagliaro, and was predeceased by his first wife, the late Josephine Hudzik Pagliaro. Joe was born in Shelton, on October 4, 1940, son of the late Frank and Mary Anaclerio Pagliaro, and lived in and served the Valley community for most of his life. He had a long and distinguished career in the Valley as president of the Riverview Funeral Home in Shelton, and the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home in Derby, and has made an indelible mark on the community for his active leadership and participation in the civic arena. Particularly active with nonprofits in the community, Mr. Pagliaro was recently named chairman of the newly created Valley Community Foundation. He was the former chairman and past president of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club, as well as a 28-year member of its Board of Directors. He was the vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Homes of CT, was the first vice president and member of the Executive Committee for the Shelton Economic Development Corporation, was a member of the Griffin Hospital Board of Trustees, and was a member of the Board of Directors at Valley United Way. Previously, he was a member of the Board of Directors for the Birmingham Group and the Parent Child Resource Center. Joe was very active in fund raising efforts in the Valley and formerly chaired the Valley United Wayus annual community campaign, the Bowlathon for the Birmingham Group, the American Heart Association Walkathon, and the Michael Bourque Memorial Fund for Children. His dedication to the people of the Valley did not go unnoticed. He was a recipient of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls Club Service to Youth Award, the Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal award, and the prestigious Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award from the Valley United Way. Joe was a 20-year member and chairman of the Shelton Planning & Zoning Commission and previously served on the Apportionment & Taxation Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was the former secretary of the Executive Committee for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, was past president of the New Haven Funeral Directors Association, and was a longtime member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He was also a member of the board of directors of the former Shelton Savings Bank. In addition to all his other efforts, Joe was the first male mentor with the Shelton School system and was active with his church, having been president of the St. Lawrence Parish Council, as well as serving as a lector at the church. He was the beloved father of Joseph A. Pagliaro Jr., and Michelle Pagliaro Haywood and her husband, Brett; and the brother of Frank C. Pagliaro Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, Elizabeth Simonetti and her husband, Tom, Esther Sylvester and her husband, Carl, and Rosemarie Sheehy and her husband, Edward J. Sr. He is also survived by a stepson, Jim Fama and his wife, Anne, of Trumbull; and two stepdaughters, Mary-Beth Salinsky and her husband, Greg, of Shelton, and Megan Fama; six cherished grandchildren, Tyler, Brian, Kathryn, Bridget, Courtney and Matthew; a sister-in-law, Mary-Jane and her husband, Dr. Pasquale Santagata; his godson, Edward J. Sheehy Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton. Friends are invited to go directly to St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Avenue, Shelton, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph A. Pagliaro Sr. Family Foundation, to benefit Valley charities, c/o 390 River Road, Shelton, CT 06484.