Michael Bird-Boy

15 September 1934 – 30 March 2020

Thomas Anthony de Paola was born in Meriden, Connecticut. He became interested in art at an early age. After graduating from high school, he attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. In 1956, he graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He taught art at Newton College of the Sacred Heart from 1962 to 1966, then moved to California where he taught at San Francisco College for Women from 1967 to 1970. His first illustrated book, *Sound*, was published in 1965. In 1969, he received his Master of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He relocated to New England and taught art at Chamberlayne Junior College in Boston from 1972 to 1973. He …