Alba Juliano

* Retired paraprofessional
* PS 60, Bulls Head, Staten Island

“OK, love ya.”

Those three words were said affectionately at the end of virtually every conversation by beloved retired paraprofessional Alba Juliano.

The school community at PS 60 in Bulls Head, Staten Island, is mourning the loss of Alba, who died days following her 73rd birthday.

After her career as a paraprofessional ended in 2015, Alba devoted her life to her family, especially her three granddaughters. She also was a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Alba loved people and was genuinely interested in getting to know anyone she met. It came naturally to her to share a story and laughs with everyone. Since her passing, her family has received much support through social media — which is ironic since Alba preferred an old-fashioned landline phone to cellphones.

Her parents founded, owned and operated Pal Joey’s, an iconic pizzeria on Staten Island.

She is survived by her children Joseph Juliano, Janet Juliano-Buczek and Gina Juliano; her son-in-law Mark Buczek; her granddaughters Kaitlyn, Laura, and Gianna; her companion of 26 years, Gene Burgesse; her sister Addie Morton, a retired UFT para; and her ex-husband, John Juliano. She is reunited in death with her late son, John Juliano, and her son-in-law, Tommy N. Rigney.

Contributions in her memory can be made to St. Jude’s at giftfunds.stjude.org/AlbaJuliano.