Michael Galatola

 Michael C. Galatola   September 21, 2015

Michael C. Galatola , a classic scholar in Greek and Latin, died on September 21, 2015, less than two months before turning 83. He was living in Philadelphia, Pa., where he had moved recently to be near family. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, but lived in various places throughout his lifetime. He lived in New York City and Italy while attending Brooklyn College and Columbia University, studying  classic Greek and Latin. He moved to Achitson, Kansas, to take his first teaching position in the early 60s at Benedictine College.

It was in Atchitson where he met and married Mary Evelyn Matlin (nee Stamper) where he extended his family with Mary Evelyn’s son Larry, and thereafter with Larry’s daughter Romy and three children. Mary Evelyn preceded him in death in 2005.

In Atchitson, Michael did not necessarily resemble the staid classic faculty image—he obtained his pilot’s license and flew regularly between New York and Kansas. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast. He eventually took a teaching position at St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vt. It was a relatively short distance to Manhattan where he could pursue his love of opera and the orchestra. He had season tickets to both and shared his tickets with friends and family.

Michael established life-long friendships with faculty members of St. Michael’s, including Armand Citarella, the chairman of the classic studies department and George Olgjay.  Both proceeded Michael in death, but the friendships with their families continued.

When interest at universities waned in Classic Studies, Michael moved on to another language, COBOL, and spent the rest of his career in computer science. He did not give up his interest in the classics, however, and translated and published a number of ancient works, sharing them freely with friends and family. He also joined the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, providing his expertise in maintaining the finances for the Burlington Ward. He visited Salt Lake City and spent extensive time in Montreal doing genealogy research. When he moved to Philadelphia, he joined the Independence Ward of his church where he again quickly established a network of friends.

When people speak of Michael, the same words keep coming up: generous, happy, and kind. To those who were lucky enough to eat one of the many meals he prepared, he was described as the best cook imaginable. Michael is survived by his brother Anthony, his niece Catherine G. Tetro and his great-niece and nephew, Morgan and Reid Tetro. He is also survived by his step-son Larry Matlin, his granddaughter Romy Matlin and great-granddaughters Kasheena Riley, Adrienne Boyd and  Amber Boyd.

A memorial service will be held for Michael in Philadelphia, PA at Laurel Hill Cemetery at 11:30 AM on October 10, 2015. One will also be held in Burlington, Vt. at his burial site in Lakeview Cemetery. It will occur on November 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM.

Michael can be commemorated with gifts to the Native American Heritage Association -- https://www.naha-inc.org/.