Anthony Gagliardi, known as Long Beach’s Mr. Generosity for his extraordinary support of charitable organizations with his creative fundraising efforts, wig-making skills and big heart, has died at 79.
Anthony Gagliardi, known as Long Beach’s Mr. Generosity for his extraordinary support of charitable organizations with his creative fundraising efforts, wig-making skills and big heart, has died at 79.
From left, Congressman and former Long Beach mayor Robert Garcia, Anthony Gagliardi, former mayor Beverly O’Neill, and former governor George Deukmejian. Courtesy photo
Anthony Gagliardi and Shirley Wild. Courtesy photo
Anthony Gagliardi at a Steel Magnolias event. Courtesy photo
From left are siblings Domenic Gagliardi, Elena Papini, Anthony Gagliardi, Sam Gagliardi, Maria Elenora Gagliardi. Only Domenic, Elena and Maria are left of the original 10 Gagliardi children after the passing of Anthony and Sam. Courtesy photo
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Anthony Gagliardi, known as Long Beach’s Mr. Generosity for his extraordinary support of charitable organizations with his creative fundraising efforts, wig-making skills and big heart, has died at 79.
“His body just gave out after suffering multiple melanomas leading to pneumonia,” said his younger brother Domenic Gagliardi. “He was such a special person.” He said his brother died at the UCI Medical Center in Los Alamitos on Nov. 17 after returning from a vacation in Turkey.
A funeral service, with a U.S. Army honor guard, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Green Hills Chapel, 27501 S. Western Ave., in Rancho Palos Verdes. A Celebration of Life focusing on his achievements is being planned for sometime early next year.
Accolades poured in when news of Gagliardi’s death spread throughout the community that he loved. Everyone used words like smart, generous, kind, creative, enthusiastic, loving and modest in describing Gagliardi’s impact on the community.
“He was extraordinary in so many ways in his dedication to helping people,” said Jill Rosenberg, a longtime community leader. “I had a friend who was diagnosed with cancer and needed a wig as her hair fell out. Tony, who made a successful business of his wig-making skills, provided a wig for free. My friend said he was incredibly kind and helpful in a way that relieved her anxieties and mental distress.”
Paul Garman, executive director/producer of Musical Theatre West, said he was amazed at Gagliardi’s extraordinary skills and willingness to do whatever it took to make an event a success.
“He was instrumental in founding our major fundraiser, ‘Broadway in the Park,’ which had its genesis in his home,” Garman said. “He worked tirelessly for that event, helping set up tables, organizing decorations, opening his backyard for over 20 years to host previews for our upcoming shows. He was the hands-on worker, in every aspect, including sweeping the cul-de-sac and hosing it down.”
But, Garman said, Gagliardi’s generosity to MTW didn’t stop there. “When he realized how much we were paying for wigs, he offered to volunteer to do those and donate his time, as well as the wigs,” he said. “He touched so many of the art organizations in Long Beach, offering his home for fundraisers, his skills for decorating and wig design.”
Garman said one thing that always stood out about Gagliardi was that he never wanted to take credit for anything. “If we used his home for a fundraiser, he would hide rather than have me introduce and thank him,” he said. “His humility was beyond generosity. He just wanted to help people and make a difference for that organization or person. And the thousands who he has helped are in his debt.”
Gagliardi also was a strong supporter of International City Theatre. ICT Artistic Director caryn desai said in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of Anthony Gagliardi, a former board member and resident hair/wig designer at ICT. Tony shared his talents with our artists for decades as a gift to ICT and this art form which he valued. He never chose to be paid for his service. He opened his house for board and donor events.”
ICT honored Gagliardi in 2021 at its Encore event to recognize his generosity and service not only to ICT but to the entire community in so many ways, desai said.
“At this time of Thanksgiving, we give thanks that he was such a positive presence in our lives for so many years,” desai added. “We are deeply grateful to Tony for his service, his friendship and his humanity.”
Gagliardi’s role in founding Steel Magnolias, the volunteer organization that supports children with developmental issues is legendary. He co-founded the organization with Shirley Wild, longtime social columnist for the Press-Telegram. The main recipient of Steel Magnolias is the Stramski Developmental Center at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Since Steel Magnolias started in 1999, more than $6 million has been raised to help children.
Wild told an interesting story on how Steel Magnolias got its name. “I asked Tony if we could have a dinner at his house with women I had asked to help get the organization started,” she said. “He said, ‘Of course.’ When I showed him the list of women attending, he said, ‘Holy cats! These are the leaders of Long Beach.’ The next day he called me up and said the women on the list were all Steel Magnolias, like the strong women in the classic movie of the same name. The name stuck, and we called our organization Steel Magnolias.”
Wild said she loved Gagliardi’s creative decorations and activities for fundraising events at his house. “He went overboard on everything,” she said. “One time, he had a marching band play in front of his house. Another time for a Hollywood theme party, he had a replica of the famous Hollywood sign stretched all across his house. He was a master at creativity with a vivid imagination.”
Gagliardi was born in Genoa, Italy, the ninth of 10 children – seven girls and three boys. Only three are alive now: Domenic and sisters Maria and Elena. The family eventually moved to the United States and Gagliardi grew up in Chicago. Sister Maria started a hair salon and Tony got his first taste of styling hair by helping her.
Gagliardi was about 12 and so short he had to stand on buckets or other things to be able to reach the customer’s hair. Nonetheless, Tony he never let his 5-foot, 4-inch stature get in the way of doing giant things.
He joined the Army in 1967 when his family moved from Chicago and settled in Long Beach. His father worked at the Todd Shipyard in San Pedro.
When he left the Army, he returned to his hairstyling business and learned how to style and make wigs. He became so expert he had his own Long Beach salon for many years.
In 1993 he received a Key to the City from Mayor Ernie Kell and an award “on the occasion of the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Anthony’s Studio 7 crowning 25 years of service to the citizens of Long Beach.”
A personal note: When the Press-Telegram needed a car in the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade for Shirley Wild and me to ride in and wave to the crowd, Gagliardi not only let us use his convertible, but he drove the car in the parade. In every way, he lived up to his moniker, Mr. Generosity.
Survivors are his brother, Dominec Gagliardi and sisters, Maria Elenora Gagliardi and Elena Papini.
The family suggests donations to Steel Magnolia, Musical Theatre West and International City Theatre.