TRAGIC LOSS: Beloved Malden High School Staffer Killed in Crash
Student Supervisor Paul Famiglietti, 54, of Malden, crashed his motorcycle on Route 2 East near Westminster Saturday.
A popular Malden High School staffer was killed when his motorcycle swayed into the breakdown lane and hit a guard rail on Route 2 East in Westminster Saturday afternoon.
Student Supervisor Paul Famiglietti, 54, of Malden, crashed near Exit 26 while riding bikes with his son around 3:45 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation by state police.
No information about memorial services were immediately available Saturday night.
Friends, students remember
Principal Dana Brown, who spoke with Malden Patch from the Famiglietti residence Saturday night, said he hired the popular staff member nine years ago.
Brown also spoke to students during an impromptu candlelight vigil outside of the school.
“He has been a jack of all trades, man of all seasons, for nine years,” he said. “The kids dedicated the yearbook to him a few years ago, because he's so beloved."
Famiglietti also served as a publicist for the school, even authoring a blog about the school's activities and students for Malden Patch.
"He had hundreds of pictures of us in his classroom; he took pictures all the time and he wasn't even in the photography club," former student Phillip Morose remembered. "He was a great photographer, great teacher and a great person."
“He really, really, really was beloved by everyone,” Brown emphasized. “I don't know anyone who had a cross word for him. It's going to be very difficult for the school to bounce back.”
Brown said the school would open at 10 a.m. Sunday for grieving students to come together for support.
A second vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday.
“He was absolutely...one of the most trusted, valuable colleagues I've ever worked with,” Brown said. “I could count on him for anything. He was just great for the school, great for the kids. One of those guys you just don't replace.”
"Mr. Fam" goes viral, and the Famigliettis respond.
Students took to social media to spread the news of their teacher's passing, as well as to organize an impromptu candlelight vigil at the school.
The students tweeted so much that "Mr. Fam" became one of the most discussed topics on the site for the Boston area.
Famiglietti is survived by his wife Susan - a teacher at Forestdale School and a Malden High coach - as well as his two children, Amy and Gary, both graduates of Malden High School.
While they weren't available for an interview Saturday, Amy took to Twitter herself to reach out to student mourners.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love and support," she wrote. "The amount of support is overwhelming.
"My father loved his job and all of you."
In This article
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Malden High School
77 Salem St, Malden, MA -
Forestdale School
74 Sylvan St, Malden, MA
Meghan
9:22 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
I wish I could have said goodbye! I haven't had study in a while either. RIP! You were so nice, Mr. Fam. I'll never forget he lollipops you gave me and my friends for always pushing in the chairs and picking up trash off the floor. :(
Jennifer
9:24 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
My prayers go out to his family, friends and all the students and staff who knew him. R.I.P. Mr. Fam. Please ride safely and remember to look twice while driving.
Sharon
9:47 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Famigletti family at this time.
Paige Yurek
10:41 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Wow. I can't believe it. He was a great guy, great staff member at MHS. My prayers go out to the family. R.I.P.
Denise Morani
10:45 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time. May the MHS family find comfort in their memories of him.
Amy
10:49 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
My family is beside themselves ...my father was an amazing man. We appreciate your support. My dad loved his motorcycle and was a very responsible driver. He did not get in an accident. Reports on cause of death have not been determined so please do not report any stories. Thank you for the condolences.
Nancy Camarata
12:16 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Amy, I am shocked and grieved by the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He will be missed.
Chris Caesar
2:35 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Anything we report on the cause of his death will only come directly from the police department - don't worry about that.
Joey Voices
11:07 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Amy, I am SO sorry for your Family's devastating loss! Please know you are in my prayers for comfort and God's nearness at this time! Your Dad made my show at Malden High two weeks ago a success, running the lights and sound along with my sound guy, making me look and sound Great! He accommodated me way above and beyond his job description, because he loved people and it shined through him. I'll never forget him!
~ Joey Voices
Debby DeOliveira
11:24 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
I remember when me and him got into deep conversations about College, He was a great guy. I wish i could have said goodbye . I'll never forget him. R.I.P Mr. Fam. Stay strong Famiglietti Family </3
James T. Williams
11:54 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Paul was an will always be an outstanding person in my memories and an outstanding person in which I've had the opportunity to fill his shoes after handing down the reins from the band, u will forever be loved and missed throughout the MHS Staff...sincerely JT
David Holland, M.Ed.
7:36 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Mr. Fam did so much for the students at Malden High School it is impossible list everything. Beyond that he was a great support for the teaching staff as well and I know that Principal Brown relied on Paul in so many areas. He put together, on his own, a booklet of faculty members with photographs to introduce new teachers to their colleagues even if they had not met them yet. He will be sorely missed. My prayers go to the family.
Mrs. Mary Scannell Phaneuf
8:48 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
We were all so excited about the Famiglietti's coming to Washington with the Forestdale 7th and 8th graders this week. (Of course he was going to spend his vacation with kids...) The sadness is unfathomable right now.
---
Mrs. Phaneuf
Roberta McDonald
9:28 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
I worked the High School Bingo and chaperoned the High School Band with Sue and Paul and he was a true friend to all! He did a lot for the kids and the High School and he will be greatly missed by all!
RIP Mr. Fam <3
Melissa A. Smith
9:26 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Famigletti family at this time
David Hunt
10:21 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2012
David Hunt
Amy, I Just heard about tragic passing of your dad. My prayers are with you and your family.
Tina
8:21 am on Monday, April 16, 2012
I have so many fond memories of Paul when my daughter was in band. We was a kind, gentle person, yet firm. The amount of respect he gave and had was immeasurable as well as his passion for people in general. I am so glad I was able to get to know such a "giving" person. We will miss you greatly. RIP my friend
MaryEllen Robillard
6:01 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
May he rest in peace and be a guardian angel to the students of MHS.
MaryEllen Burns Robillard MHS 1980
Maria Cotter
10:43 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Famigletti family at this time. R.I.P. Mr, FAM.
Rachel Malcolm
11:43 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
I'm really gonna miss you and your really funny jokes, Mr. Fam!! I really wish I could have had a chance to say goodbye! I reach out to your family, and everyone in Malden High... There will forever be a Mr. Fam- shaped hole in our High School..
Muriel
1:40 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
We were all so lucky to have met such an impactful person... Such a supportive father and friend, truly a blessing to all those who had the pleasure and honor to meet him!!! I'll always remember his kind soul!! <3
amanda
5:38 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Mr. Brown may speak like he cared and I am sure in some way he does. He doesn't show his respect, though. Malden High's flag is currently at full staff even though it shouldn't be. Half staff for the man who had practically everyone in tears with the sad news.
James Carozza
9:26 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
My deepest condolences to the Famigletti family. I have gotten to know Paul the past few years working with him at the Bank of america Pavilion and the Orpheum Theater. He was truly a great man and always spoke kindly of everyone and was always there to help anyone! Jim Carozza MHS Class of '78
Kaitlin Reilly
12:37 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
My heart hurts as I write this but I find hope in spreading the love I have in my heart for Mr. Fam. I have grown up with Amy and we have played sports together since forever. Mr. Fam was ALWAYS such an amazing man who went above and beyond for all of us kids and our families. He was the type of person you could go to with ANYTHING.... People like Mr. Fam are hard to come by.
To the Famigletti Family - You are all in my prayers and your father will forever live on in my memories and in my heart. - RIP Mr. Fam - you will be forever missed!!
-Much Love
Kaitlin Reilly