Michael Vincent Yazurlo, Dr. Yazurlo, Dr. Y, Mike, 71, passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021 in his home in Yonkers.
Mike was born on July 14, 1949 to Italo “Eddie” Yazurlo and Evageline “Angie” Alise. He is survived by his siblings, Vincent “Vinny” (California) and Carol Palomino (Mahopac). He is predeceased by Anthony Yazurlo.
Marriages include, Diane Bozelli, children, Carrie and Toni, grandchildren Andrea, Joseph, and Gia (Florida). Patricia Bracciodieta, for 29 years, children, Michelle, Michael and daughter in law, Alma, grandchild, Madison. Nancy Tinelli, widowed wife, step-children John and Nicole Crimmins, dogs, Oscar and Henry.
Mike received his degrees from New York City College of Technology (undergraduate), Mercy (graduate) and Fordham University (doctorate).
His jobs included being a mechanic at the family owned auto body shop, Yazurlo and Sons, on School Street in Yonkers. He was a drummer and co-founding member with Santo “Sandy” Garufi of the 60’s revival band, Eclipse. A seven-piece ensemble, including horns, Eclipse played the wedding circuit and clubs from 1982-1992. As Sandy said, “It was a solid ten-year run that helped finance a business and Mike’s educational degrees.”
Dr. Michael Yazurlo began his career with the Yonkers Public Schools as a 6th grade teacher from 1974 to 1976 at School 18 and Enrico Fermi School. He returned to the school district in 1986 as an assistant principal for Roosevelt High School. In 1988, Dr. Yazurlo was appointed principal at the PEARLS Hawthorne School. He was principal at Roosevelt High School from 1991 through 1998. After Roosevelt, he became the Superintendent of Tuckahoe Public Schools and retired from the district in 2011.
Dr. Y came out of retirement in 2012 to become the President of the NY Nativity Network of Schools in NYC, a Jesuit middle school system funded solely through private donations. The Jesuits and the Board of NY Nativity commissioned Mike to be their very first lay President.
He also taught for many years as an adjunct professor at the Center for Teacher Education (CITE), SUNY Stonybrook, Fordham, Mercy College, and the College of St. Rose. He later returned to Yonkers Public Schools to serve as Superintendent from 2014-2015, a lifelong dream he always held close to his heart.
In 2015, Mike joined the Music Ministry at the Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers, playing drums alongside his dear friend, Pastor Frank Coleman, and wife Reverend Margaret Coleman. He played every Sunday for two years, and as Reverend Coleman explained, “he did it just for the love.”
Dr. Michael V. Yazurlo leaves a legacy of love and care to all those he served. He recalled his years as the principal of Roosevelt High School (RHS) as his “toughest, yet most rewarding” job. To this day families in Yonkers remember him for his kindness. Nancy Harris, RHS alumni, and aide at School 9, still talks about his tough love and kind soul.
The Yazurlo family will honor his memory and welcome visitation at the Westchester Funeral Home, 190 Main Street, Eastchester, New York, 10709. Please note due to limited space at the funeral home, the family is requesting that visitors from Tuckahoe come on Thursday, June 17th from 3-8 with Yonkers visitors to attend on Friday, June 18th from 4-8.
Mass for Dr. Michael Yazurlo will be Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, NY 10707.

**In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting plants or a donation made to the American Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.org/