Sanit Vet Gagliotto Mourned;

Never Took Sick Day
Sanit Vet Gagliotto Mourned


Louis Gagliotto, a decorated city Sanitation Worker who was lauded by Mayor Bloomberg for collecting refuse for 50 years without ever calling in sick, died earlier this month at age 80, nine months after concluding his career with the Sanitation Department.

A DSNY 'ICON' GONE: Louis Gagliotto, a decorated city Sanitation Worker who worked outside collecting refuse for 50 years without ever calling in sick, died earlier this month. He was honored by Mayor Bloomberg and Tony Danza, left, at Gracie Mansion in 2005.

Family members pointed out that despite his seniority, Mr. Gagliotto always worked outdoors on a collection truck from the Brooklyn South 11 garage, which covered Bensonhurst.

'A Legend in Department'

"I think he was really an icon in the department," said DSNY Commissioner John J. Doherty in a phone interview. "He was someone very special and a legend in the department."

At the time of his retirement last May, Mr. Gagliotto was the longest-serving Sanitation Worker.

Commissioner Doherty noted that he would always come early to his shift and make coffee or bring cake for his colleagues. "If you didn't see Louie on the job, you worried," he said. "He was somewhat sick at times, but going sick was not something in his vocabulary. He was really blessed in many ways that he never had a medical breakdown that kept him out of work."

Before joining the DSNY, Mr. Gagliotto served as a private in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

While his career with the department grew each active year, it was also somewhat frustrating for his family. "We've already had to cancel two retirement parties for him," said his daughter, Darlene Saraceno, during the 2004 award ceremony where he was honored by Mayor Bloomberg.

'A Great Loss'

In the end, he left quietly. "It was a great loss to everyone," Commissioner Doherty said. "I wanted to have a party for him. He did come down with some medical problems and he kind of kept it to himself."

The funeral was held at the Virginia Funeral Chapel, with a mass in Holy Child R.C. Church. Mr. Gagliotto is survived by his wife of 50 years, Josephine, sons Louis and Jeff, daughters Ms. Saraceno and Diane Malave, and six grandchildren.

Commissioner Doherty noted that Mr. Gagliotto didn't live long after leaving the department. "Saint Peter is reliable," he remarked. "Unfortunately, he transferred Louie from the route he was on here to the route up there where he needed help."