SOUTHPORT — Born February 3, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the oldest son of Maria Civita (nee Conte) and Antonio Pugliese of Minturno, Italy.
Mathew grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was graduated from Jesuit schools including Fairfield Preparatory School, Fairfield University and Fordham Law school in Manhattan.
He met the love of his life, Josephine (nee Mone) who he married on May 1,1965. She predeceased him along with his parents.
Mathew is survived by two sons, Jeffrey, his two daughters Isabella Pugliese and Emma Croslin her husband Tony and one Great Grandson, Hudson Croslin, Gregory and his wife Whitney and two children Ava and Jake, a brother Joseph Pugliese, his wife Susan Pugliese and their daughter Amanda, a sister JoAnne Jackson and her husband George Jackson.
Mathew enjoyed spending time with his family whether it was making a homemade meal, dining out at local Italian or Chinese restaurants, or on the golf course.
Mathew began his law career in 1964 as an associate and later as a partner with several local firms including Redway and Bard. He set up his own law practice, Mathew A. Pugliese Esq. and practiced real estate, probate law, business law and criminal law for many years in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Mathew and his family were long time members of Shorehaven Golf Club where they built many friendships and enjoyed countless competitive games of golf over the years. Mathew, in his senior years, participated in a club competition which went into sudden death, matching his expertise to a much younger golfer, nearly claiming victory.
Additional golf highlights include making two holes in one, the first at Shorehaven and the second in North Carolina at St. James Plantation. Rare achievements for any golfer, these serve as testament to his competence and expertise in the sport.
Over the years, Mathew and his family were members of St. Jerome, St. Phillips and St. Mathews parishes in Norwalk. Mathew valued family, friends, good Italian food and golf along with his faith. He and Josephine shared the same strong faith in God and Family and devoted their 60 year marriage to providing their children with a passion for life, learning and doing good for others. They adored their Grandchildren, Emma, Bella, Ava and Jake. Mat also knew the joy of holding and playing with Hudson, his new Great Grandson.
Mathew and Josephine spent their retirement along the beautiful crystal coast of Southport, North Carolina where they enjoyed being members of the Saint James Plantation community. Mathew and Josephine were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport.
He is reunited with Josephine (on the Heavenly Golf Course).
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
718-987-1931
Queen of the Clergy Residence
274 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
203-358-9906, Attention Vicky
