Arciuolo’s Shoe Store Owner Matthew Arciuolo, 104, Passes Away

MILFORD, CT — Longtime Milford Arciuolo's Shoe Store owner Matthew Arciuolo died March 30 at the age of 104.

Arciuolo emigrated with his family from Italy in 1921 and his father opened the store on Naugatuck Avenue the same year, according to his obituary. The family comes from a long line of shoemakers and cobblers.

Arciuolo started working at the store as a young man when his father died and kept it open through the Great Depression and World War II. He served in the Air Force and attained the rank of corporal.

He returned to Milford after his military service and worked to make the shoe store even more successful. The store moved to Broad Street in 1991 and remains a prominent downtown business, which is now run by his son Matthew Jr. and grandson Matthew II.

Full obituary from Cody White Funeral Home:

Matthew Joseph Arciuolo, 104, of Milford passed away at Milford Hospital on March 30, 2022. He was the beloved husband of the late Pauline Carmella Serravalle Arciuolo, with whom he celebrated 75 years of marriage.

Matthew was the owner of the iconic Milford landmark Arciuolo’s Shoe Store, fitting four generations of Southern Connecticut families. He was a master craftsman and pioneer in corrective footwear and orthotics. Matthew, who emigrated with his family from Italy in 1921, came from a long line of shoemakers and cobblers.

He was born in Foggia, Italy, the son of the late Francesco and Annunziata “Nancy” (DePalma) Arciuolo. Arciuolo’s Shoe Store in Milford was originally established by Matthew’s father in 1921 on Naugatuck Avenue. Matthew began working in the family shoe business as a young man, when his father passed away at a young age. He kept the business running through the Great Depression and into World War II before he went to serve in the 8th Air Force. He achieved the rank of corporal working the quartermaster’s corps in London and later in France and Belgium.

After his service, he married Pauline and set to work building the small retail shoe business into what is now the oldest and most established shoe business in CT. In 1991, he moved the store to Broad Street in Milford Center, where it continues today, run by his son Matthew Jr. and grandson Matthew II as a successful legacy. In addition to running a thriving business, Matthew Sr. served his community as a volunteer firefighter in his younger days.

He was also a member of the Milford Civitan Club for many years and donated to many local and worldwide charities. He was a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church, and then St. Ann Church. He and Pauline traveled extensively in their later years and enjoyed seeing the world, especially delighting in their trips to Italy. Matthew had a lifelong passion for carpentry. He was a master woodworker and craftsman. He also loved to read and discover new concepts and ways of doing things. Matthew was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He will be forever in the hearts of his children: Pauline Wood (Allan) of Indian Trail, NC., Matthew J. Arciuolo Jr. (Felicia) of Milford and Thomas F. Arciuolo of Milford as well as grandchildren Matthew III, Christian (Stephanie), Drew, Juliette, Christopher and Evan. He will be lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews and extended family members. He is predeceased by his sisters Madelyn Greco, Antoinette Blazek and Angie West, as well as his brother, Andrew Arciuolo.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or your charity of choice. Matthew’s family would like to extend their gratitude to his wonderful home health care aides, hospital and hospice doctors and nurses for their compassionate and loving care.