Peter Agliardo: Volunteer Extraordinaire

by Kathy Savolt -

By all accounts, Peter Agliardo was a devoted family man.  Luckily for us, he included the Village of Mamaroneck in his definition of family.

Anyone who has lived in the Village of Mamaroneck for a while has probably worked with or at least heard the name Peter Agliardo.  Whether it was in the context of his political career, volunteer work for the Village, Rye Neck School Board member, lector at Holy Trinity Church, Santa Claus at the annual Elks Lodge party, riding on a fire truck dressed as the Easter Bunny, or as a fellow fisherman on Long Island Sound, Peter was well known and gave of himself tirelessly.

Peter moved to Mamaroneck as a young man starting a family around 1960 and built a house on North Wagner Avenue in 1964.  He worked for years in the oil burner installation business, retiring from the company with which he started around 20 years ago.  Peter had years of experience and knowledge in the industry and a rare New York City installers license which let him establish his own consulting business which he ran until he was in his mid-80s when he finally retired.

Throughout this time, Peter volunteered over and over again for what his daughter, Melody Cowles, described as “the betterment of Mamaroneck.”  She reports that in the 1970s and 80s, Peter served thirteen years on the Rye Neck School Board while she and her brothers attended school.  “He and my mother were at all our proms because they invited the School Board members,” she recalled with a wry smile.

Peter expanded his community involvement around 1980 when he worked with the Florence Park Association to transform what Melody remembers as “a field and a swing set” into a more functional neighborhood park.  From there, Peter just kept going – working to improve life in the Village.

Peter served on the Village’s Recreation Commission for many years having been appointed by both Republican and Democrat Boards of Trustees.  Over these years, he accomplished so much and amassed so much knowledge that in 2003, when the Village wanted to document the history of recreation in the Village, they turned to Peter.  See video HERE.  Peter starts at 16:00.

Rosanne Saracino, former Superintendent of Recreation, remembers Peter fondly.  In a recent interview, she recalled when she first came to work for the Village and had the most awful office (referenced in video above).  She decided to paint, hoping it would help, and when she arrived on a Saturday, there was Peter with his ladder, roller and paint.  He painted the ceiling for her using his own money and equipment.

Rosanne also described the staff socials she hosted every summer with a barbeque grill going for hours to feed the 50-60 attendees.  Peter would always work the grill bringing a friend to help.  It was so hot the one year he came alone that the party moved indoors to air-conditioned quarters.  But not Peter, he stayed outside and worked that grill until everyone ate.

Rosanne called him “just one of a kind” and “a gentleman.”  She said he always looked out for her and “in a lot of spots, he just showed tenderness and kindness.”

In the 1980s, Peter included politics in his volunteer portfolio.  He was elected as Trustee for the Village and also served as Deputy Mayor with former Mayor Paul Noto.  Known as a fierce fighter during campaigns, Peter was also well respected for working with all after the campaigns were over.  Noto summed things up when contacted by the Mamaroneck Observer while on vacation.  He said, “Peter was a courageous and dedicated public servant.   He loved the Village and served it with passion and non-partisanship.   He was a joy to serve with.”

Despite all Peter’s hours devoted to making things better in the Village, his family remembers him as a dedicated family man.  He loved large family gatherings and not just on holidays although Christmas dinners were “epic”.  His daughter Melody recalls family dinners at Chef Antonio’s organized at the spur of the moment.  

Peter passed away in July at the age of 91.  He is survived by Ida, his wife of 66 years, sons Fr. Michael Agliardo and Peter Agliardo, daughter Melody Cowles, in-laws Bethany Agliardo and Chris Cowles and six grandsons ranging from 19 to 27:  Brendan, Christopher, Tyler, Nicholas, Benjamin and Justin.  Peter lovingly referred his grandsons as “the guys” and cherished the time “hanging out with the guys” up to the end of his life.

He will be sorely missed and remembered for his many contributions to the Village.