By Paul Wein
Many who knew Pugatch packed Boulevard Chapels to pay their respects to the man who was known as ³the Mayor of Atlantic Beach.² ³Maybe the most significant reason people were so drawn to Michael was his intrinsic optimism ‹ he just radiated it,² said Temple Sinai of Roslyn¹s Rabbi Michael White in his eulogy. ³Michael earned his immortality. He earned the imperishable crown of a good name. His soul was pure and good, and full of love and generosity.²
Pugatch was born on April 14, 1919, in Brooklyn. In 1945, after marrying the love of his life, Marcy Stamm, he moved to Long Island, where he spent most of his life, forging relationships and helping to build the community that he loved. For 25 years he was parks commissioner of Atlantic Beach Estates, during which he got to know many political figures and got involved in the goings-on of his community.
After his retired, Michael and his wife moved to Boca Raton, Fla., where he spent his days doing what he did here: befriending all he met. When Marcy died in 1999, their son, Barry, and their daughter, Irene, moved their father into the Bristal in East Meadow, where he spent the rest of his life.
³There wasn¹t a person in his age group that didn¹t know him,² said Barry, owner of Pugatch Realty in Woodmere. ³He was a unique guy who made an impression on all who knew him.² Barry recalled that his father found positive traits in everyone, and always went out of his way to help anyone who needed it.
He remembered one instance when the residents of the Five Towns complained about the potholes on Hook Creek Blvd. ³When he found out that nothing was being done about the potholes,² Barry said of his father, ³he contacted all of the local officials, including the mayor of the City of New York, and got the potholes filled. This is the way he was. If there was a problem, he would fix it.²
When Pugatch lived in the Five Towns, he started the PFC Murray Block JWV Post, having been deeply affected by the death of his friend Murray Block. According to Barry Pugatch, when the post heard of his father¹s death, its officers decided to rename it the Pugatch/Block Post in his honor. ³That¹s how much of an impression he made on people,² Barry said. ³The man has the respect of the world.²
Barry said he had purchased 400 thank-you cards to send to those who sent their condolences to his family, but he quickly ran out. ³I had to order another thousand,² he said. ³So many people sent cards and letters telling us how much they¹ll miss him.²
State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) knew Pugatch for many years. When Skelos was running for office, Pugatch campaigned for him, waking at 5 a.m. each morning to introduce Skelos to passengers at the Cedarhurst train station. Skelos, who drove from Albany for the funeral, said of his friend, ³As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was the best.²
Ian Leigh, manager of Pugatch Realty¹s Commercial Department, recalled a moment he spent with Michael that showed how well-known he was in the community. ³One time, Mike and I decided that we were both getting a little heavy, so we met on the boardwalk in Atlantic Beach for a fast walk,² he said. ³When we began our walk, we were stopped every 10 feet by someone who Mike knew, and he would chat with them for about 10 minutes. So much for our fast walk.²
Zelda Lew, a customer relations representative for Pugatch Realty, always loved when Michael would visit the office. ³He would walk in with a big smile, and he seemed so happy to be coming to his son¹s office,² she said. ³He would take the time to stop and greet everyone with such enthusiasm. He always flirted with the ladies. We were all his Œgirlfriends.¹²
After the funeral at Boulevard Chapels, Pugatch was buried in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, next to his beloved Marcy. He Pugatch is survived by his son and daughter, his four grandchildren, Spencer, Dean, Samantha and Randi, and a brother, Morris.
Comments about this story? PWein@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 204.
