Dominic James Pirraglia

Dominic James Pirraglia, 90, of Todt Hill, retired school principal and innovator in the field of special education and vocational training, died comfortably at home surrounded by family on the evening of Thursday, December 10th.

Mr. Pirraglia enjoyed a long career in education starting as a teacher in 1951. In 1968, he became principal of the Staten Island Occupational Training Center in New Brighton, where he played a pivotal role in securing funds and redesigning the school to better accommodate the needs of handicapped young adults, and later dedicating the facility as The Richard H. Hungerford School.

Mr. Pirraglia and his wife, Marie, a retired teacher, were married for 68 years. They enjoyed summer camp jobs, a second home in the Berkshires, and vacations in Florida and Italy.

“He was born a man of steel, but was never a boy,” said his wife, Marie. “After the early death of his own father, he became a young entrepreneur, never frivolous or carefree. He gave us everything he had to give, and we loved him in return. We will miss him forever.”

Mr. Pirraglia is survived by his wife, Marie; his 3 sons, Richard, Peter, and Don Christopher; daughter, Maria; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Anthony (Tony) Pirraglia.

There will be a funeral service in Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with funeral mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, South Beach. Arrangements include burial at Moravian Cemetery.