| Graduation Year | Faculty |
| Date of Passing | Apr 10, 2009 |
| About | Charles Morrongiello, beloved and legendary Garden City High School art teacher, passed away on April 10th due to complications from diabetes. A lifetime resident of Long Island, Charlie graduated from Sewanhaka High School and received a Masters of Fine Arts from New York's prestigious Pratt Institute. In February of 1971, he joined Garden City's teaching staff. Throughout his 26-year tenure, Charlie used his passion for art and love of life to inspire thousands of students and challenged them to become aware of their surroundings, community and life. Through his vision, "Art" became a vital ingredient of the school's culture. Student art work became ever present in the hallways. He expanded his student's horizons with frequent field trips to New York's major museums, the mansions of Long Island as well as annual trips to Europe. His passion for design and Garden City's architecture included an annual bus tour of the village to study the doorways of homes and buildings, an event which bonded students with their community and gave them a personalize pride in their home town. In February 1973, Charlie and his wife, Lydia who was the high school music teacher, were married in the Garden City Cathedral. The church was packed with students. Besides teaching, Charlie maintained his own successful interior design company. Over the years, Charlie and Lydia acquired a significant collection of antique cars which they personally restored and showed in national concourses. In 2002, Charlie was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Charlie fought the disease with his strong passion for life. In-spite of his serious illness, Charlie continued to mentor and share his life with his flock of former students. In October 2003, over 150 former students held a benefit in his honor. A scholarship in his name remains today at Garden City High School and is awarded annually. A memorial mass was held at Our Holy Redeemer church in Freeport on April 16. Charlie is survived by his wife, Lydia, and his twin brother, Donald A memorial page entitled "I took art with Charlie Morrongiello and it was Devoon!" has been set up on Facebook. (source: Garden City Mourns Beloved Teacher by William Keegan Jr., Garden City News) |
