Joan A. Massaro

Joan Ann Massaro was raised in Queens, NY with her siblings Grace and Eddie by her late parents Charles and Agnes Schuttinger. After graduating from Long Island City High School, she pursued a career at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. where her co-worker Doris (who later became her sister-in-law), encouraged Joan to write supportive letters to Doris’ brother (Bob Massaro) while he served as a paratrooper in the Korean War. Following his discharge from the US Army, Joan and Bob coincidentally met each other at a skating rink outing with mutual friends and history was made…

They married on September 8, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Long Island City, NY ultimately settling down to raise their family in Elmhurst, NY where Joan assumed the important roles of dedicated wife and homemaker. As a caring mother, Joan consistently guided and supported her children throughout each stage of their life by modeling the true meaning of “unconditional love” and what it means to “put others before oneself.”

Having a natural knack for cooking, Joan quickly began preparing traditional meals in addition to incorporating dishes based on Polish recipes and traditions she acquired from her mother-in-law. She was also known for her famous cheesecake, babka, crumb cake, Irish soda bread, and her mother’s most memorable “Mrs. Schuttinger’s Cake.”

Especially known for her compassionate, caring, and selfless call to service – throughout her life Joan actively sought out opportunities to give back to her local community by serving as a devout Catholic and parishioner at St. Adalbert Church, Girl Scout Co-leader, Eucharistic Minister, and as a weekly Pastoral Care volunteer at St. John’s Hospital in Elmhurst, NY for over ten years with her close friend Catherine.

Joan’s interests and hobbies included joining the Red Hat Ladies Society and collecting Salada Tea bag tags with “words of wisdom” that she would send with greeting cards to friends and family. She also enjoyed creatively decorating the front door and bay window of her home to celebrate each season and holiday in addition to having a natural knack for floral vase arrangements.

As a dedicated grandmother – Joan enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren and never forgot a birthday, holiday, or milestone occasion by sending a card and gift often followed by a phone call featuring a special greeting song memorably sang by her and their grandfather Bob.

One of Joan’s most favorite words of wisdom in her later life was “YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU THINK YOU CAN.”

Joan is survived by her children: Bruce Massaro (and his wife Claudia), Lois Lodico (and her husband Guy), Lawrence Massaro (and his wife Julissa), Diane Lorusso (and her husband Arthur), Robert Massaro, and the late Gary Massaro.

Her grandchildren: Diana, Dominic, Danielle, Madison, and Aydin.

Siblings: Grace and Edward Schuttinger

Sister-in-law: Diane Kanzler
Donations in memory of Joan A. Massaro can be made to any of the following charitable organizations:

New York Cancer Foundation Advocates for Hope.

200 Ramsey Road.
Shirley, NY 11967

1-833-588-6923

https://nycancerfoundation.org/donate/

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.

371 East Jericho Turnpike.
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976

Phone: 1-631-930-9000

(Toll-free in the U.S.) 1-800-548-4337

https://www.guidedog.org/GD/gd/GDF_DonateNow.aspx

America’s Vet Dogs

371 East Jericho Turnpike.
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976

Phone: 1-631-930-9000

(Toll-free in the U.S.) 1-800-548-4337

https://www.vetdogs.org/