Michael Ascolillo, a lifelong East Boston resident and one of the most sought after tattoo artists of his generation, has died.
Ascolillo, affectionately known in Eastie as ‘Asco’ or ‘Mikey’, died unexpectedly following complications from heart valve surgery on Saturday, June 13. He was 37 years old.
Mikey was born and raised in Jeffries Point in his family’s home on Everett Place. He attended East Boston Central Catholic School and later Savio Prep High School where he graduated in 1995.
Ever since he was a young child Mikey had a passion for drawing and art and would spend hours creating cartoons and drawings in notebooks. During high school his artistic ability were highly respected by students and staff at Savio. Mikey would be called upon to design art for school play stage designs, the Savio Forum newspaper, the year book and flyers for school events.
Mikey began his career as a tattoo artist as a teenager. His talents as a tattoo artist made him highly sought after and soon he had a cult following in the neighborhood. As word of his talents spread, more and more people began to seek out Mikey to design their body ink.
Over the years Mikey had completed thousands of tattoos for family, friends and customers that included tattoos for New England Patriot players as well as members of the Boston Celtics. Mikey had a signature design and flare making his tattoo art stand out from the rest.
Aside from his work as a tattoo artist Mikey was known throughout East Boston as one of the kindest, funniest and well liked people in the neighborhood. From Jeffries Point where he grew up to Orient Heights Mikey had friends all over East Boston and was very
Michael Ascolillo
popular among his peers who loved his brand of humor and artistic abilities.
In 2002 Mikey married his longtime girlfriend, Janette Burgos. The couple raised two daughters together, Mia and Alexis.
Beloved husband of Janette (Burgos) Ascolillo. Devoted father of Mia Lee Irene and Alexis Dylan Ascolillo. Loving son of Edward and Irene (Schettino) Ascolillo of East Boston. Devoted brother of Edward P. Ascolillo and his wife, Caroline, of Pelham, NH. Cherished grandson of Elena (Buonopane) and her husband, Melvin Baer, and the late Vincent Schettino and Hugo and Theresa (Stapleton) Ascolillo. Adored uncle of Hunter and Christian Ascolillo. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Family and Friends will honor Mikey’s life on Monday June 22 from 3-8 p.m. at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga St. East Boston and again on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. before leaving in funeral procession to Sacred Heart Church Brooks St. East Boston for a Funeral Mass in Celebration of Mikey’s life at 10 a.m.