Joseph Migliucci

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THIS SERVICE: Due to the COVID-19 virus, this visitation is limited to 10 people at a time in the chapel. This is for the safety of the family, our staff, the general public and to follow the current laws of New York State. Thank you for your cooperation.

Joseph Migliucci 

Legendary Arthur Avenue restaurateur, Joseph Migliucci, who took Mario’s Restaurant through its 100th year in 2019, lost his battle with coronavirus and passed in his sleep on the morning of April 6, 2020 at the age of 81. 

Born in Manhattan on November 18, 1938, he 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. Joseph 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.

His parents urged Joseph 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. Joseph 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. Trained by Mario and uncle Clemente, Joseph 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.

Far beyond preparing meals, Joseph 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. With a gentle heart, large frame and even bigger hands, he 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. Joseph 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.

Joseph 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. Joseph knew the names of customers, their parents and children and if he couldn’t recall it, you would never know it. Many customers became his life-long friends.

Joseph 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. Joseph’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 three 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. Joseph is survived by all the children, 16 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and his sister Diane Lentini. Joseph 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, Barbara, most children and many grandchildren that Joseph desired near the end. Lauren represented the entire loving family at Joseph’s side. He gave Lauren money from his wallet telling her it was for her birthday, two weeks away, in case he wasn’t there.

Joseph 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.

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue Thornwood, New York 10594 on Monday, April 13, 2020 from 11:00 - 1:00 PM for visitation.  Joseph will be entombed in his family crypt at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation in Joseph's memory to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, please see the link below for you convenience.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Migliucci, please visit our floral store.