JENISON, Mich. — Michael Pugliese of Jenison, formerly of Prospect, Conn., and Fort Myers, Fla., 99, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 in Michigan. He was the loving husband of the late Concetta (Jannetty) Pugliese and longtime companion of Yvonne Schultz.
Michael was born, Aug. 10, 1917, in Waterbury, son of the late Carmella (Filippone) and Matteo Pugliese. He was a graduate of Crosby High School, Class of 1935. A devout Catholic, Michael was a lifelong communicant of St. Anthony Church, and a founding member of its Holy Name Society. He was proud to have made 50 annual retreats at the Holy Family Monastery in West Hartford, Conn.
Michael was the founder of Prospect Machine Products located in Prospect, Conn., which continues today as a family-owned company. He was a resident of Prospect and served the town in many capacities over the years. He was chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, a member of its Board of Finance, justice of the peace, judge of the Prospect Justice Court, and the town’s first selectman from 1959-1961.
During his term as first selectman, Michael oversaw the construction of Prospect’s Town Hall and Canfield Park, and the purchase of 54 acres as a proposed high school building site that is now occupied by the Long River Middle School Complex. Michael oversaw the adoption of Prospect’s first zoning ordinances and the organization of Prospect’s first police department.
Michael served as president of the Smaller Manufacturers’ Association of Connecticut in its formative years, on the U.S. Small Business Advisory Council, and the Connecticut National Bank Advisory Committee.
Most importantly, Michael was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to Yvonne, Michael’s companion for 17 years, he is survived by his daughters, Claire Boiano, Mary Pavone and her husband, Mario, Evelyn Laurenzi and her husband, Richard, and his daughter-in-law, Josephine Pugliese; his grandchildren, John Boiano and his wife, Darcie, Christina Boiano, David Boiano and his fiancé, Annmarie Bishop, Michael Pavone and his wife, Andri Sujono, and Nicole Laurenzi and her husband, Jamie Abelson; great-grandchildren, Sarah Boiano, Isabella Pavone and her partner, Lamar Davis, and Julian Pavone; great-great grandchildren, Gabriella and Natalia Pavone-Davis, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael was predeceased by his wife, Connie, his son, Michael Jr., his son-in-law, James Boiano and his siblings, Frank Place, Connie Maggi, Rose Cappelletti, Rocco Pugliese, Claire Strada, and Joan Rizzuti.
The funeral was held on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury to St. Anthony’s Church in Prospect for a Mass. Burial followed in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown.
Memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to: the James O’Dea Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Anthony’s Church, Attn: Lisa, 4 Union City Road, Prospect, CT 06712.
For more information and online condolences, visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.
