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.