Born in Philadelphia, Michael Fioriglio attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1934 where he studied under Hugh Breckenridge, among others. He exhibited one painting at the Academy in 1939 entitled Springtime Notes which is currently in their collection. That same year he listed the Works Progress Administration in Philadelphia as his employer on his Selective Service Registration card. He served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1945 where he was listed as “Artist & Draftsman” in the 30th Naval Construction Battalion (“The SeaBees”).