Louis Tagliani, Age 82

Louis Tagliani passed away peacefully at age 82 after a short battle with leukemia. 

Lou served as teacher, assistant principal and principal at PS 23 in Richmondtown from 1964 to 1996. In those roles, he was revered by several generations of Staten Island families.

"Louis Tagliani was a wonderful and gifted teacher and administrator at PS 23," said teacher Michael Morelli. "His long tenure gave him the ability to shape the formative years of so many children."

Linda and David Sobel said that Lou made PS 23 a special place to work and learn. "Lou is a fine educator, a caring and devoted friend, and an excellent mentor," they said.

Cythnia Palinkas, whose students attended PS 23, said Louis Tagliani touched each of the members of the PS 23 community with his wit, intelligence, kindness and grace. "He had a way of making everyone feel special," she said. "His pride in and love of PS 23 is what made my children and all their friends work hard and succeed."

Prior to becoming a teacher, Louis Tagliani served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Louis was devoted to his wife, former teacher Mary Grace Tagliani, and his sons and grandchild. In his retirement years, he loved traveling with Grace on cruises around the world and forged new and enduring friendships on those journeys.