Martin (Marty) L. Piccirillo, 82, of North Haven, CT, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. A vibrant, hardworking, life-long student and educator, Martin was born on Brown Street in New Haven’s Wooster Square neighborhood on October 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. 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 fourteen 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 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 fifty-eight 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 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday (TODAY) from 4 to 8 PM. 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.
Marta & Family
Words can't express my sorrow for the loss of a true gentleman and friend to so many. My sympathy and prayers are with you at this difficult time. There is no doubt that Marty is in the arms of our Lord, in eternal peace. I will miss driving by seeing him manicuring the lawn.
With deepest sympathy
David
A very kind and thoughtful man who I had the pleasure to interact with at the No. Haven PD.
My condolences to the family.
Dear Paula,
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so sad when we lose a loving parent. You have my condolences and my prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
So sorry for your loss, may god keep you and your family at peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Del and George
Wonderful caring, intelligent man. Truly a pleasure to have known him. You will truly be missed RIP
So glad to have gotten to know Marty, and for the gift of his son, Conrad. Our love and sympathy to Marta, Conrad, and all family. Sincerely
Hi Marta & Paula & Louis & Family i can`s express enough my sorrow for your Dear Husband Father & dear Friend , My sympathy & prayer for all of you .
Yolanda & Santino Perri
Wooster Street Travel
Always smiling and engaging, I have fond memories of Marty at GCC, and sharing stories about his brother, Dr. Pic. My deepest sympathy to Paula and her family for their loss.
Paula & Family I am so very sorry for your loss. I was lucky enough to know Marty both socially and professionally and I will miss him in both. He helped me so much at a time I really needed it and for that i will forever grateful. Love you all, Sandi
Dear Marta and family,
Our hearts go out to you and your loved ones. Marty had such an extremely sweet spirt. He was kind,, genuine, and compassionate. We were so very blessed to have known him, and called him our dear friend.
Love and prayers
Edie & Family
I find it paradoxical that I am typing my final words about my friend and colleague Marty into a computer – an instrument that he detested with a passion! But, Marty and I actually became friends because of computers.
Here's how a typical visit to Marty's house went; Marty would greet me at the side door, invite me in and announce to Marta that "Richard is here," He would then offer me coffee and get water for the Kuerig while talking all the time, as he talked Marta would appear and actually make the coffee (I don't think Marty ever made a cup of coffee – machines were not Marty's friends, people were), Marty would usher me into the study and set me up on a chair in front of the computer with Marta close behind meanwhile offering me food or another cup of Marta's coffee, Marta would settle in next to me and we would begin working, Marty usually disappeared to the upstairs "bathroom" (I truthfully think he took a nap) until Marta shouted for him, usually because we needed a password that Marty often forgot, Marty would reappear to begin guessing his password which Marta would usually eventually remember, then the phone would ring (their phone was always ringing) and Marty would disappear again, often reappearing to offer more of Marta's food or coffee.
I never heard Marty openly curse in public other than the words "BANNER" and "MyCommnet."
Marty was old school. He was dedicated to teaching and to his students. He wore a suit and tie every day and still carried a briefcase. He actually lectured – no PowerPoints or videos. He tried using a VHS tape occasionally during the 1990s and the Ed. Tech. Dept. had to dig a VHS player out of the archives for him and when we moved to the new campus with the new video system – OMG!
Marty and I shared one more belief, even though he possessed several doctorates to my one, to our students and colleagues we are Rich and Marty.
I will truly miss Marty. There are few people at Gateway that I am really friends with – Marty was probably number one. Like myself, Marty was a man of high expectations who cherished learning as a hobby, more than a job; as an interest rather than a burden, and we were frustrated by colleagues and students that didn't share that view. I was happy to introduce Marty to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a group of students that shared our love of learning. One of my most memorable moments with Marty was an evening at my house with the PTK students discussing his work on self-actualization versus self-determination – he finally met a group of people who "got it!"
I'LL MISS YOU BUDDY! I've got 6 more years left; watch over me please, guide me through the insanity, help me remember that it's about the kids, and don't let me lose the faith! Rest in peace, really! No more work! Have a glass of wine and watch the rest of the show. Luv ya' AMEN
What a wonderful man. I have missed him this past semester at GCC. My sympathy for your/our loss.
Our condolences to the entire family. I had the pleasure to know Marty and always addressed him as "sir", usually as I passed by the house a simple beep of the horn and wave as he meticulously took care of the lawn. There were times when I was able to stop and have a quick word to discuss what was going on in life. I will definitely miss those brief but meaningful talks. Thanks for the memories Marty. God Bless. Joe
I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort sustain you as you await the promises found at John 5:28,29 and Rev. 21:4 where God promises to do away with all the things that cause us suffering and pain including death here on the earth forever.(Psalm 37:10,11,29) It is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family at this time.
Laura
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your loved one personally, I hope knowing that they are in our loving, Heavenly Father's memory will bring your family comfort during this very difficult time. (John 5:28&29)
Conrad so sorry for your loss, find support in your family and friends and cherish the memories
We just heard about your loss and our hearts go out to you. We will always remember his smile, and his lawn. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Bernice, Debbie and Mark.