Michael J. Pagliaro

Dr. Michael John Pagliaro

November 23, 1933 - August 17, 2025

Hartsdale, New York

Dr. Michael John Pagliaro passed away on August 17, 2025, in Hartsdale, New York, at the age of 91.

Michael leaves behind his son, Michael Pagliaro, Jr., and daughter-in-law Nina Pisani Pagliaro of Scarsdale, New York, and his daughter Christine Pagliaro and her fiancé, Christopher Kalish of Hartsdale, New York. Michael was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren: Michael Pagliaro III; Jenna Pagliaro Socci; Krista Raciti Cid; Robert Raciti, Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Sante Michael Socci.

Michael is preceded by his loving wife, Marie Menna Pagliaro; his parents, John Pagliaro and Rosa Pauline Pagliaro; and his brothers John Leon Pagliaro and Elliot Eugene Pagliaro.

Michael was born on November 23, 1933, in the Bronx. He attended Hunter College at the age of 17, where he earned a B.S. in Music Education. He eventually earned an M.A. in Music Education, an M.S. in School Supervision and Administration, and an Sc.D. in Musical Instrument Technology. He dedicated over 65 years to music, education,

and the music industry. Michael was in the National Guard from 1954 to 1963, where he founded the First Training Regiment Band in Fort Dix, NJ. He was chairman of the music department of Macomb's Junior High School, conductor of the orchestra in Clarkstown Junior High School, Professor of Music Education at Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, and Professor of Music Education and Technology at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY. Michael founded Ardsley Musical Instrument Service, Ltd. in 1971, a school musical instrument rental company serving customers all over the Tri-State Area, and proceeded to invent several patented string instrument products still on the market today.

Michael spent his retirement years in West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Marie Menna Pagliaro, where they frequented operas and spent time with family and friends. Michael wrote music reviews for the Palm Beach Opera. He interviewed the famous Romanian opera singer, Virginia Zenea, and hosted opera events for Il Circolo, the Italian Cultural Society of Boynton Beach, Florida.

Michael lived a life rich in intellectual, professional, and cultural pursuits through which he earned the respect and love of all who knew him. Through his gifts, he enriched the lives of hundreds of music students and educators. He authored over 25 books published by Scarecrow Press, Rowman Littlefield, and Ardsley Scholastic Press. He also wrote an autobiography entitled Diagnosis Death, for his grandchildren, in which he shared wisdom and life lessons.

Some of his titles include:Everything You Should Know About Musical Instruments But Didn't Have Time To Learn (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 1992)The Musical Instrument Desk Reference (Scarecrow Press, 2012)The Instrumental Music Director's Guide of Comprehensive Program Development (Rowman and Littlefield, 2014)