Michael Raymond Lugano, 70, of the Bronx, New York, surrounded by family, passed away on August 28, 2023, from pancreatic cancer. Michael’s mother, Marie Rotondo Lugano; his father, Raymond Lugano; and his grandmother, Filomena Rotondo, predeceased him. He leaves behind his sister, Diana Lugano Tierney; his nieces, Doreen Tierney Dinnen (Thomas); and Maureen Tierney Carnelli; his nephews, James Tierney (Miranda) and Michael Tierney (Irene); his great nephews, Keifer Carnelli (Elizabeth); Braydon Carnelli; Thomas Dinnen, Nicholas Dinnen, and Brian Dinnen; and his great niece, Angelle-Lis Bronstroph.
Michael’s father passed away when Michael was 9. Marie, his mother, raised Michael, and they were very close. As his mother got older and could no longer live alone, she lived with him. Family was everything to him; therefore, he made whatever sacrifices were necessary to see that she was well taken care of.
Michael’s sister, Diana, was eleven when he was born. She often says he was her real-life baby doll. They had an extremely close relationship, and it was, therefore, no surprise that when Diana needed him, he was there. Michael, never having had children of his own, was instrumental in helping raise his four nieces and nephews. Unc, as he was lovingly known to them and later to many of their friends, decided at a very young age to be the parental figure for the Tierney children. He was the disciplinarian, the role model, the friend, the loving supporter, and always their superhero. Life would have been very different for Diana and her four children had Michael not stepped in to be there for all of them. He has always been a blessing in their lives and will be greatly missed.
Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Lehman College and later earned his master’s. He started his student teaching at P.S. 105 in the Bronx and received the student teacher of the year award in 1975. He spent over 41 years as a teacher at P.S. 105. During his career, he was a science teacher, a classroom teacher, and eventually a drama teacher. As his passion for drama grew, Michael started volunteering with the National Dance Institute (NDI). Michael also ran both the district science fairs and book fairs for many years. He was an exceptional teacher and touched so many lives, which was evident by the love students, parents, and teachers had for Mr. Lugano. He lived and worked in the same community, often ran into his current and past students, and remained close to many of them into adulthood. He had a special touch for connecting with students that made them feel important. After his retirement, he continued to volunteer at P.S. 105. Children were everything to him, and he always went above and beyond to ensure they were successful.
For many years, Michael worked summers as a camp counselor and eventually as the assistant director for Castle Hill Day Camp. He was also involved with Camp Orenda and Camp Taconic, two sleepaway camps in upstate New York. At the end of camp, kids were tasked with writing a sentence beginning with each letter of the words “CAMP TACONIC” to describe their experiences that summer. For many campers, the letter “M” was reserved for writing fond memories of Mr. Lugano.
Michael was a practicing Catholic and served many hours at Our Lady of Solace-St. Dominic’s Parish. He served as the chairman of the parish council, was a Eucharistic minister, a lecturer, an usher, and was involved in many other events at the church. He also volunteered his time, talents, and treasures to the Idente Missionaries. If there was a need in the church, Michael could always be counted upon to assist.
In his spare time, Michael was an avid patron of Broadway musicals, loved spending time in New York City, was passionate about horse racing, volunteered at the Bronx Zoo, was a Yankee fan, and was a fierce watcher of Survivor. He loved spending time with his family and friends and enjoying the good things in life. He had a big heart, made sacrifices for those he loved, and was generous with his gifts. We know that Michael is at peace and are grateful for all the love and memories he left us with.
We love you, Unc!
The family will receive friends at a memorial at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 4 PM to 8 PM.
There will be a memorial mass at 10 AM on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Our Lady of Solace, 731 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. A private interment will follow the mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Michael Lugano’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
My life is far richer because my dear”Mikey” was a part of it! We weren’t just friends we were family. He was my younger “brother “. Mike’s heart was so big! He was so selfless and such a “giver”! We shared so many good times but also sorrowful times. We have a bond that even death cannot break! Rest In Peace “Mikey” and say hello to “Momma Toots” (my Mom) for me. Till we meet again know that I love you with all my ❤️ Roe
I am really shocked at the loss of Mike Logano we taught together a PS 105 for many years I have been in touch with him via messenger for many years he was such an asset to teaching and to PS 105 may you rest in peace
I am so sorry to hear my friend/ co- worker Mike has gone to heaven. When I started working at P.S. 105 , he was the first person to befriend me. I will forever missed him. He was one of a kind.
Over the past few years, I became friends with Mike through our work at the Our Lady of Solace-St. Dominic Parish. He was always there to assist and lend a hand. He was a true leader as evidenced in his years as the Parish Council Chairman. He was dedicated and so sincere in everything that he set out to do. I, along with the entire Parish community, will miss him terribly.
He fought a tough fight right to the end. God Bless him always.
Mike was a counselor for Castle Hill Day camp. I was one of many campers who adored him. When we reconnected on Facebook after so many years I could not believe how much he remembered. To his delightful surprise I remembered the wonderful experiences he created for all the children which he he mentored. Our favorite event was the Jamboree which Mike directed at the end of the camp season. Mike touched many people with his kind, loving spirit. May he rest in eternal paradise.
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mike, I worked with him for many years and he was a great teacher and friend.
I’m stunned and saddened to hear this news. Mr. Lugano was my 5th grade teacher at PS 105 from 1985-1986, He made sure we respected him and others at all times, and he was one of my favorite teachers from grade school. Since we lived a quarter mile apart, I often ran into him in the neighborhood and felt the need to update him on my progress in life. To this day I preferred to call him Mr. L and not by his first name.
Thank you Mr. L for all of your efforts to enlighten our young minds and to be and do more than we believed we could. I can only pray I can impact half as many lives positively as you did.
On Sunday Angel and I was fondly talking about you.
Therefore, the news of your death was devasting. We was shocked. Heaven is blessed to have you and we already see you greeting all those who went before you.
You will always be known as a great person, teacher and friend. We was blessed to have you as a teacher n mentor to Jason and Sean. We miss you terribly but we know that you are at peace. Can you give a hug to Ms. Robinson for us. Both of you is gone too soon,
The Cosmes were blessed to have you in our lives. Thanks for being the greatest, we love you.
Dear Mike,
Words cannot describe how saddened I am over your passing. You were a wonderful man and the world will miss you. You gave so much to all who knew you especially the children. We will miss one of God’s angels on earth but heaven will get back your kind, generous and loving soul. God speed to your well deserved graces in heaven.
Dear Mike , I was very saddened to hear of your departing , but at the same time happy that you are now resting with our dear lord and no longer in pain and suffering . Thank you for all that you did for us at Our Lady of Solace / St Dominic’s thru out the years . You will truly be missed by many . Rest In Peace in heaven
I was stunned to hear this, God has one of the great ones. I was lucky to have you as a teacher back in the 80’s. You had a lasting impact on me and I will never forget how much I appreciated having you as a teacher. I don’t think you will ever know how many lives you’ve helped shape. Truly one of a kind, rest in peace.
I believe that if you take a look at his Facebook page, you see how loved Michael was by all of his students who wished to retain a relationship with him, way into adulthood. We are all deeply sadden by his passing.
I am extremely saddened to hear the news of Mike’s passing. He was so much to so many and will forever be loved and missed. Mike was so compassionate and dedicated to everything he did. Teaching was his heart and he gave it his all. His students loved his beyond measure because they knew that he loved them all. As a colleague , Mike was second to none. As a friend, no matter what he was going through, he made the time to always reach out to see that I was ok. Mike was a strong man with strong faith. He always had a smile and lived his best life. ❤️
Mr Lugano was my 5th grade teacher also (85-86). I can honestly say that he was my absolute favorite teacher at PS 105. Just recently I found him on Facebook bc of a mutual friend/student. I am so grateful that although short, and only through social media, that I was able to reconnect with him. He was a true gem and will be a positive memory for me and I’m sure, all of his students. May he rest in peace.
We were extremely saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. He was truly one of a kind and never hesitated to offer help if you needed it. Mike and I shared many laughs and sorrows throughout the many years that we worked together at 105. He was very upbeat and positive, even after his diagnosis which he fought with strength and dignity. We were honored to have him as our friend. Even though we have lost him, heaven has another angel.❤️
As one of Mr. Lugano’s many students from the 4th & 5th grade class at P. S. 105, he made such an impact on me that my childhood friends and I, though spread out geographically nowadays, would still bring him up with funny and sometimes wild stories. (Mine involved passing out while watching chicks hatching out of their eggs in an incubator.)
I also remember instantly recognizing him on the 5 train during my high school days. It was brief but I felt the urge to let him know what was going on in my life as if I wanted to make him proud. I didn’t get the chance to say much as he got off the next stop but I was definitely happy to see him regardless.
Mr. Lugano will be missed.
Scrolling through all the awesome comments/tributes of my dear friend Mike L., I found myself with tears in my eyes. I chuckled when I read your funny story of you passing out watching chicks hatching. Mike Lugano also made me chuckle in spite of his illness!
Thank you Mike!!!!!
Omg Mr L may you R.I.P you were an amazing science teacher !! I wouldn’t have known if I wasn’t checking the obituaries yours is above his but thank you again
My step dads * sorry funny how I saw the picture and said he looks like my elementary teacher and he is !!! Hope you are happy to know I am a teacher too .
I am sadden to hear of Mr Lugano’s passing. You were my 6th grade teacher (1993-94) and you taught me so much. You made me appreciate the Olympics, whales and the titanic to name a few. You also made me realize I was a bully to a classmate and felt so bad that I never bullied anyone again. RIP
I am saddened by the news of his passing. Mr. Lugano was such a sweet and kind person. He was my children’s teacher at P.S. 105, while all three studied there many years ago. Then we had the privilege of working with him through Our Lady of Solace – St. Dominic Church community, Parish Council, and so many other activities. Our deepest condolences to the family. He will be forever missed. God has gained an Angel. May he rest in peace
My younger son had Mr Lugano as teacher in PS 105, in 5th grade, 84-85 One of the best teachers ever! May you RIP !
Mr. Logano was more then just a teacher, he was someone who truly wanted to see students succeed. He pushed for us to show our potential. He was amazing, inspiring and hard working. We know God has him in his eternal embrace and our condolences to his family and loved ones.
You were an amazing man.
Rest in Peace Mike
Michael was a good neighbor, very thoughtful and he will be missed.
I think all teachers hope to be remembered by their students for the rest of their lives. I attended P.S.105 between 2002 and 2008 and I can remember every teacher I’ve ever had, by name. I knew they all did the most that they could for us. I only recently found out the news of Mr. Lugano’s passing. He was my 4th grade teacher and though I may not remember everything I learned, I remember how I felt. Mr. Lugano had a light of enthusiasm and joy for his students. He was authentic and deeply cared for each one of us in all his years. Even after I graduated and returned to visit in 8th grade, he still remembered my name and face. P.S.105 was the school to beat in my years there and the teachers made it so. If any of my teachers are reading this, thank you for all you have done! We wouldn’t be us without you. I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to say it directly to him.
Not too long ago I’ve recently found out about Mr. Lugano’s passing through my Mom who still keeps in contact with the teacher she volunteered for at PS 105…and I’ve been having a heavy heart ever since.
Mr. Lugano was first my 4th grade teacher for the 2006-07 year. I was part of his last ever class he taught as a general teacher. He became my 5th grade science teacher afterwards and eventually became my little sister’s drama teacher for her last 2 years there.
Mr. Lugano was one of the very few teachers who made an impact on my life. Giving my classmates and I unique projects to work on. Some of those projects included roles we had to play; he chose me to play the roles of Dolly Madison and the Statue of Liberty that year. He was very active at PS 105, helping out with school plays and NDI.
Even after I graduated, I would always get to say hi and talk to him when I would go watch my little sister’s school plays. Once my sister graduated, they kept in contact through email and he even helped her with her high school auditions. He genuinely had love for his students, especially those who he knew were going to do great things in the future.
I believe I would have turned out to be a little bit of a different person if I did not have Mr. Lugano as a teacher. He made an impact on me, my sister and my other former classmates so much that we would bring him up in conversations many times years later. I’m heartbroken that he’s gone. Thank you for being my teacher. I wish you were here to see the amazing path I’m on now.