Mr. Michael A. Azzolino
AZZOLINO Michael Anthony, 88, of Washington Township, died on January 20th (2009), after an 18-year battle with myasthenia gravis. In his former roles as President of Bergen County Retired Educators Association (BCREA), and Treasurer of New Jersey Retired Educator Association (NJREA), Azzolino designed and negotiated for comprehensive health benefits for retired educators. Once New Jersey lead the way, representatives from state after state, contacted him for guidance in obtaining their own benefits.
Born in Jersey City, Azzolino graduated from Lodi High School at 15, then worked with father Nick and brother Tony in Bergen Films, Lodi. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in WW II, and served in Africa and Italy. Staff Sergeant Azzolino was prohibited from officer candidate school because he was blind in one eye, but was the only non-com to serve as supply officer at an army base.He earned his Bachelors from Fairleigh Dickenson University, graduating magna cum laude, in three years, while working two fulltime jobs. He went on get two Masters degrees from Montclair State, and completed doctoral work at Yeshivah University.
Mike began teaching at Lincoln School in Lodi, the worked as guidance counselor at the Gantner Avenue School in East Paterson before becoming a East Paterson Memorial HS high school counsel, Director of Guidance, then Vice-Principal. He was a guidance counselor then Vice-Principal at Paramus HS and eventually retiring from Paramus, where he was named Paramus High School Educator of the Year. Though the Teacher of the Year Award had been given before, never had the recognition been conferred upon an administrator, so, the name change was required.
During his long career in education, he had a "second career" as head escort for Casser Tours, NYC. He planned then escorted the FIRST bus tour to Alaska, a 31-day tour from NYC through Canada to Alaska, where he was awarded the Key to the City of Anchorage. Mr. Azzolino founded Group Tours, providing bus trips and cruises to groups as an outgrowth of his work in the travel business. He twice served as Board of Trustee President of the South Bergen Teachers Federal Credit Union.
A leader in his profession and community, Mike Azzolino was an exceptional father and grandfather. In 2008, grandson Michael Vinik, president of Vinik Marine, Keyport, NJ, christened the vessel MIKE AZZOLINO, the former USCG WYT-72, the tug YANKTON, in his name. Says Vinik, "My grandfather has always been a role model to me. He was my hero." Mike is survived by Dorothy, his wife of nearly sixty years; his sister Anne Peraino and brother Joe; children: Agnes, Nick, Michael, John, Tony, and Phil Azzolino and Dottie Lydon; and his grandchildren: Michael Vinik, Julie, Lizzie, and John Azzolino; and Kate and Tianna Lydon. He was predeceased by his daughter, Teri Lou Azzolino and siblings Tony Azzolino and Mary Grotsky. Interment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.
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