Dante Fugazzotto, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y., formerly of Milton, died Jan. 28.
Mr. Fugazzotto loved art, music, mathematics and strawberries. He had a quick wit and an infectious sense of humor.
As a very young boy, he was an “honorary scout” in his sister’s scout troop, until he was old enough to be a Cub Scout in the den led by his mother. He was the heart of his Cub Scout den, and went after each badge with a combination of seriousness and enjoyment.
From a young age, he demonstrated his creativity and interest in the arts. At 11, he and his 13-year-old sister, Martina, wrote and performed their two-act opera “Phlemming Yopera,” complete with stage directions and costumes.
He always had a huge hug for everyone, especially his little sister, Lara. As they grew older, when home for the holidays, he baked treats in Lara’s kitchen.
Mr. Fugazzotto was an avid and talented skateboarder until suffering an injury, which required surgery. While he then skateboarded infrequently, he continued to love the sport. On a trip to Switzerland with his father and older sister, he traded skateboarding tips with Swiss teenagers, making friends everywhere he went.
In school, he loved mathematics and science, and would often read math textbooks for fun in the summer. He recently solved a 4X4 Rubix cube.
However, art became his first love. He applied to, and was accepted at, a number of art schools. One interviewer said while Mr. Fugazzotto’s portfolio was exceptional, it was his perspective on the relationship of art to life that made him such a unique applicant.
While in high school, he drove a vintage 1986 Cadillac, much to the delight of his friends.
He loved music, performing in his band at the Milton High School senior show. His love of music would continue throughout his life, leading him to compose a number of songs.
He began his art training at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, N.Y., and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in multimedia from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Ore. As a senior at PNCA, he and three of his classmates transformed a warehouse into a gallery in which underclassmen displayed and sold their works. He also developed strong ties with the street art community, initiating or engaging in many projects.
After moving to New York City, he continued to work on his art. He painted commissioned murals all over New York City and left his mark as a public-space artist. He was recently part of a collaborative street-art campaign to turn advertisement billboards into art, a project that received media attention.
Last summer, he painted murals in guest rooms at Manhattan’s Ace Hotel. He was involved with galleries throughout the country, and most recently sold a piece at the 6X6 Gallery in Manhattan. He was working on a number of new projects.
Mr. Fugazzotto was also talented in computer coding and was a Web site developer. Much of his Web design and artwork is on view at dantefugazzotto.com.
He loved the outdoors and being with his many friends. As a child, he spent summers at Camp Rotary in Boxford, making friends he would keep for life.
His ability to bond with people and stay close to them was evident throughout his life. Since his death, his Facebook page has been deluged with messages.
The role of art in the world, and the ability for qualified students to gain an education, were among his key concerns. A scholarship will be created in his name, to aid art students in the pursuit of their dreams.
He is survived by his mother, Jo Ann Volpe Fugazzotto, of Brookline; his father, Paul A. Fugazzotto and his wife, Emily, of Milton; his sisters, Martina Ayn Fugazzotto, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lara Blaise Fugazzotto, of Quincy; his grandmothers, Gloria M. Fugazzotto, of Newton, and Vera A. Volpe, of Quincy; his uncles and aunt, Carmen Fugazzotto and his wife, Sharon, of Newton, Susan Volpe Rand, of Norwood, and Donald Volpe, of Rumney, N.H.; and his cousins, Vanessa Rand, of Boston, Gina Fugazzotto, of Hyde Park, and Jessica Fugazzotto and Carmen Fugazzotto Jr., both of Newton.
A funeral service was held Feb. 3 at the First Parish of Milton (Unitarian) Church. Burial was in Milton Cemetery.
Donations may be made to help art programs for underprivileged children at www.freeartsnyc.org.
Arrangements were by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home.