Paul Giorgio, a longtime publisher whose career spanned more than three decades of Worcester media and who created Pulse Magazine, has died.
Giorgio was a familiar presence in Worcester’s publishing, business and civic circles for decades, beginning his career as an owner of Worcester Publishing Ltd., the company behind Worcester Magazine and the Worcester Business Journal.
He later founded Pagio Inc. and created Pulse Magazine, the free arts, entertainment and lifestyle publication that became a fixture in Central Massachusetts. Pulse has credited Giorgio with more than 20 years of leadership at the publication.
His death comes just weeks after major transition in the publishing career that made him a recognizable figure across Worcester.
Earlier this year, Giorgio sold Pulse and CM Pride Magazine to Merit House Media, a newly formed Worcester media company backed by Rucker Investments. The acquisition marked the end of Giorgio’s ownership but kept both publications based in Worcester.
At the time of the sale, Giorgio reflected on a career that began more than 35 years earlier.
“When I started in publishing more than 35 years ago as an owner of Worcester Publishing Ltd, we believed the work we were doing was important to the local economy,” Giorgio said in the announcement of the acquisition. “The need for Central Massachusetts to have a local voice is more vital than ever.”
The transition gave Giorgio an opportunity to see the publication he built enter its next chapter.
Under his leadership, Pulse carved out a niche covering Worcester’s music, restaurants, nightlife, arts and culture. The magazine also became closely associated with local events, including the Worcester Music Awards, where Giorgio was a regular presence celebrating the city’s musicians and venues.
Pagio’s publishing work extended beyond Pulse. The company produced publications for other Central Massachusetts organizations over the years, including Worcester Medicine and the Discover Central Massachusetts Visitors Guide. WDMS
Giorgio also maintained a visible presence in Worcester’s civic life outside publishing.
“Paul was a dear friend in the truest sense of the word,” Mayor Joe Petty told the Worcester Guardian. “he was fiercely loyal, steadfast, and always there when it mattered. He dedicated so much of his life to Worcester and to the Democratic party, and his commitment to our city and generosity toward others will not be forgotten. Worcester has lost a true friend and dedicated public servant, and I have lost someone whose friendship meant a great deal to me.”
His death comes at a moment when the publication most closely associated with him had only recently celebrated its new beginning. Pulse relaunched this year under Merit House Media, with Kate McEvoy as publisher and longtime Pulse editor Jenny Pacillo continuing with the magazine.
In a July letter introducing that new chapter, Pacillo credited Giorgio, whom she called the “creator of The Pulse Magazine,” for his “vision and dedication to the publication for over 20 years.”
The sale did not erase Giorgio’s imprint on the publication. At the time it was announced, McEvoy publicly congratulated him on the transition of what she described as a legacy he had built over nearly four decades.
Just weeks ago, Giorgio was on hand as Pulse celebrated that transition and its next chapter.
Details about Giorgio’s death and funeral arrangements were not immediately available. We’ll have more on Giorgio’s life and legacy as information becomes available.
