In 1956, he graduated from Boston College. In 2011, he received the prestigious title of “Person of the Year” for his charitable dedication to the Friends of Christopher Columbus. On October 12, 2016, members of the Friends of Christopher Columbus donated a plaque and a television in the name of Peter Paglari — a Walpole High School alumnus.

Paglari served at Walpole High School for 20 years in which he had a job as both a Spanish teacher and the chair of the foreign language department. During those years, Paglari worked to incorporate more student trips around the world in order to spread the influence of foreign language. These trips included local travels to Washington D.C. as well as global excursions to Rome, Italy.

Not only did Paglari influence the school system, he also had an interest in charity.

Paglari was a founder of both the Friends of Christopher Columbus as well as the Walpole High School Alumni Association where he dedicated over 20 years of his life.

Because of his positive impact on the philanthropic side of life, Paglari received the honor of the dedication of a plaque and a television that both are in the foreign language wing. The television displays his contributions to student excursions and the plaque summarizes Paglari’s influence.

The television also displays photos from recent Walpole High School travels — Rome, Peru and Taiwan — as well as past trips to Paris and Washington D.C.

Peter Paglari died on January 29, 2013, after dedicating 78 years of his life to charity through his work in various organizations as well as work in the educational field.

“Peter did so much for the department,” said current chair of the foreign language department Lisa Osborne, “he mentored his teachers, and worked very well with the community to build a support system with the foreign languages that still exists today.”