Accomplished artist Everett William Molinari dies

Everett William Molinari, a 35-year resident of Lawrence and Cedarhurst died on July 9. He was 85.

Molinari graduated from Far Rockaway High School before serving as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

During the summer of 1948, Molinari met his wife, Ellen, on the beach in Far Rockaway. The two were married in October 1950 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church and held a reception at the White Oaks restaurant in Hewlett.

A graduate of Queens College who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, Molinari taught painting at that school, Nassau Community College, the Sun & Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach and at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, a center for fine arts, artists and exhibitions.

His most notable work includes the murals in the House of Representatives portion of the Capitol building where his work is recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record.

Molinari held memberships in many art organizations including the Arts Club of Washington, participant in the Navy League COGAP Artists Program, was a past president of the National Society of Mural Painters and served on the board of directors for the American Artists Professional League.

Locally, he was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Order Sons of Italy. Molinari also served as a Eucharistic Minister in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church and a Lector in St. Joachim’s Church in Cedarhurst.

Services were held at St. Francis De Sales Church in Belle Harbor on July 13. He was interred in St. Mary Star of the Sea Cemetery in Lawrence.

Molinari is survived by his wife, Ellen, daughters Susan Desibio, Patricia Costa, and Marianne Hodgins, and grandchildren Kathryn and Matthew Costa, Vincent and Charles Hodgins.