Martin (Marty) L. Piccirillo, 82, of North Haven died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Easter Sunday, March 27 surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness.
Martin Piccirillo, 82, passed away on Easter Sunday.
A vibrant, hardworking, life-long student and educator, Martin was born on Brown Street in New Haven’s Wooster Square neighborhood on Oct. 30, 1933 to Luigi Piccirillo and Raffelina (Barletta) Piccirillo.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his only sibling, Anthony Vincent Piccirillo, MD and his cherished in-laws, Candeloro and Adeline (Bonanzinga) Scarfi.
Marty attended Notre Dame High School before graduating from East Haven High School. He received his undergraduate degree from New Haven State Teacher’s College (Southern Connecticut State University).
He earned a master’s degree from New York University and a second master’s degree from SCSU. He went on to earn two doctoral degrees from Fordham University and a third doctoral degree from the University of Connecticut.
Marty briefly taught in the Naval Reserves, Quinnipiac University, the Darien, Wallingford and Woodbridge School Systems.
He had a publication education hiatus when former Mayor and Police Chief Biagio DiLieto asked Marty to revamp the training division of the New Haven Police Department. It was during that two-year stint that Marty authored his first doctoral dissertation on the New Haven Police Department.
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— an obituary from the North Haven Funeral Home
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He later assisted the Wallingford Police Department with training courses, where he served as a supernumerary patrolman during the 1960 decade. After leaving the New Haven Police Department, Marty became an administrator in the New Haven School System and similarly, in the Meriden School System.
During his last ten years in public education, Marty remained in the Meriden School System as a social worker and a system-wide school counselor, doing what he loved the most-working directly with students in need.
His efforts extended to many young people outside the classroom referred by family and friends, and included the Clifford Beers Guidance Clinic, the Private Industry Council, the Family Counseling of Greater New Haven and the Urban League of New Haven.
Marty also taught at Fairfield and Sacred Heart Universities, ten years at Fordham University and 14 years at Gateway Community College. He had just begun teaching the spring semester at Gateway when his unexpected illness curtailed his classes.
When he “retired” Marty served two years as principal of St. Bernadette’s School in New Haven’s Morris Cove neighborhood. Marty’s public service extended to elected terms on both the North Haven Board of Education, Board of Finance and as a director for the North Haven Public Library.
He also served on numerous other state and professional boards, many in active positions. Marty had a passion for UConn women’s basketball, classical music and opera. He loved film and acting and held several stage roles with the SCSU Drama Department, the Wallingford Teacher’s Association and with the first troupe of the Long Wharf Theatre.
Then, there was his meticulous lawn. Many of his children’s friends thought a random piece of paper or dandelion was needed to disrupt the perfection.
Marty leaves to mourn his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Marta J. (Scarfi) Piccirillo. Additionally, his three children Louis, Conrad and his wife Carolyn of Indiana, and Paula and her partner, Laurie Montano of Branford, all cherished his love and life.
Marty held a special place in his heart for his two granddaughters, Caitlyn and Claire, also of Indiana. His passing is also mourned by his sister-in-law, Jean Piccirillo and her children Mark, Peter, Emily and Mary.
Marty was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a devout communicant of St. Barnabas Church in North Haven.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Wednesday morning at 9:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by a long-time friend, the Rev. John J. Georgia in St. Barnabas Church at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 29, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Marty’s family wishes to extend their eternal appreciation for the kindness shown by the staff at Yale-New Haven Hospital 9 West, and earlier, at the St. Raphael’s Campus Verdi 4 West. In particular, the nurses, on all shifts, who demonstrated compassion and understanding under trying circumstances.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marty’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-9929.