Italian American Museum Mourns the Untimely Passing of its Executive Vice President, Philip Foglia, Esq.
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that I report the loss of our Executive Vice President Philip Foglia at age 69. Like countless New Yorkers, Philip became a victim of the coronavirus. For many decades, Philip was a leading figure in the Italian American community in New York, devoting his legal expertise to numerous causes, especially those that sought to elevate the stature of the Italian American community by addressing discrimination. Such was the case he brought against The City University of New York, which resulted in Italians being designated an underrepresented group when it comes to hiring practices.
But aside from his profession, Phil was a dear personal friend for many years. He was a person I could turn to with any situation or problem, be they personal or business. It was a friendship based on love and mutual trust that had its beginnings in Belmont, the section of the Bronx in which we were both born. What I will miss most is his calm, measured demeanor and his ability to listen. Phil was never the guy in the room raising his voice, but one who would process and evaluate a situation and give his opinion in a non-confrontational manner.
Phil retired from the New York State Inspector General’s Office last summer, but not from life. For what was to be his major endeavor, he successfully campaigned to have a statue of Mother Cabrini in Battery Park.
A proud Italian American, Phil’s career stretched over 40 years. He was the Chief Legal Counsel for the Italian American Legal Defense and Higher Education Fund and a founding Board Member of the Italian American Museum.
I know you will join me in expressing sincere condolences to his wife Jacqueline, and their two sons, Philip, Jr. and Louis.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa
