Joseph J. Spadaro

Joseph John Spadaro, 92, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, surrounded by his
loving family. A longtime resident of Garden City and Point Lookout, New York, and later
Boynton Beach, Florida, Joseph lived a life defined by devotion to family, professional
achievement, faith, and service to his community.
Joseph was the beloved husband of Mary Theresa (Fiorello) Spadaro, with whom he
shared more than 65 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Bonnie
Stahman and Deborah Heaphy Ward, and a respected father-in-law to Fred Stahman. He was the
proud grandfather of Edward Tacchi (Kathryn), Melissa Weiss (Sean), Joseph Heaphy,
Christopher Tacchi (Paige), Katharine Ward, and Kimberly Ward. He was also the adoring greatgrandfather of Annabel Tacchi, Quinn Carey, Madelyn Tacchi, Edward Calvin Tacchi (“E.J.”),
and Calvin Carey.
Born on July 31, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph was the son of the late Giovanni
Spadaro and Maria (Ciendorbi) Spadaro and was a proud member of what is often called “The
Greatest Generation.” He was the first child in his family born in the United States after his
father emigrated from Scicli, Sicily, at the age of fifteen. The Spadaro family’s roots extended
throughout Sicily, including the Province of Syracuse and the seaside village of Cava d’Aliga,
where the family maintained a beloved beach home.

Italian was Joseph’s first language, spoken in the home as he grew up on 32nd Bay Street
in Brooklyn. He treasured his childhood with his five siblings—Angelo, Thomas, Vincenza,
Victor, and Rudolph—and remained deeply proud of his Italian heritage throughout his life.
Among his childhood friends were Ronnie Sorvino and actor Paul Sorvino, who would later
attend Joseph’s wedding in 1960.
Joseph often spoke with admiration of his father, Giovanni, who established the Five
Borough Contracting Company after arriving in the United States. The family’s story reflected
determination, sacrifice, and success. Joseph also maintained close ties to relatives in Italy,
including his uncle, Salvatore Spadaro (“Zio Turiddu”), who served as Chief of Police in Rome
alongside his wife, Gina.
Joseph attended Lafayette High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where he distinguished
himself as an exceptional student and leader. He served as Vice President of the General
Organization, was a member of the Student Court and Cafeteria Squad, served as President of the
Junior-Senior Arista Club, and participated in the Current Problems Club. He graduated as
Salutatorian of his class, a reflection of the intelligence, discipline, and dedication that would
characterize his entire life.
Although Joseph initially planned to pursue a career in dental surgery while attending
Brooklyn College, his extraordinary aptitude for mathematics led him toward engineering. He
earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of New York and later
completed dual master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Administrative Education at
Pace University. His outstanding academic achievements earned him induction into Phi Beta
Kappa, one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honor societies.
At the age of 24, Joseph was drafted into the United States Army and proudly began his
military service in 1957. He was quickly assigned to the Army’s Scientific and Professional
Division, where he worked alongside scientists and engineers developing specialized military
technologies. Among his assignments was work on the development of Computer Non-Metallic
Mine Detectors. His intelligence, professionalism, and leadership were so highly regarded that he
was repeatedly encouraged to pursue an officer’s commission. It was during this chapter of his
life that he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Mary.
On June 25, 1960, Joseph married Mary Theresa Fiorello at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church in Brooklyn, with Father Murphy officiating. Their wedding reflected the elegance and
charm of another era, as the newlyweds departed the church in a horse-drawn carriage. Their
marriage became the foundation of a loving family and a partnership that would endure for more
than six decades.
Among Joseph and Mary’s favorite memories from their early years together was a trip to
Italy and Spain. During their visit to Rome, Joseph’s uncle, Zio Turiddu, arranged for the couple to privately tour the Colosseum—an unforgettable experience that reflected both the family’s
pride in their heritage and the special bonds they shared.
Together, Joseph and Mary welcomed two daughters, Bonnie and Deborah, who brought
immeasurable joy to his life. Joseph was a devoted and loving father who dedicated himself to
providing every opportunity for his family. He believed deeply in education, hard work, cultural
enrichment, and the importance of experiencing the world firsthand.
One of the many ways Joseph expressed these values was through family travel. Around
1972, he embarked on a memorable cross-country road trip with his daughters, driving from New
York to California and back. Along the way, the family visited some of America’s most treasured
landmarks, including Mount Rushmore, the Redwood Forest, the Grand Canyon, and Old
Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. For Joseph, these journeys were more than vacations—
they were opportunities to teach, inspire curiosity, and create lifelong memories. This trip
exemplified his commitment to providing his family with a well-rounded education and a rich
appreciation for history, nature, culture, and the world beyond their own backyard.
Throughout his life, Joseph worked tirelessly to create a home filled with opportunity,
stability, learning, and love. His daughters remember him not only as a provider, but also as a
teacher, mentor, and role model whose guidance helped shape the lives of future generations.
Professionally, Joseph built a distinguished career as a mechanical engineer, educator,
businessman, mentor, and later a successful real estate entrepreneur. He worked for the Otis
Elevator Company, where he contributed to significant engineering projects and was awarded
patents related to elevator systems used in iconic structures, including the World Trade Center
and the Empire State Building.
Throughout his career, Joseph earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and
students alike for his expertise, integrity, innovation, and unwavering work ethic.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, music remained one of Joseph’s greatest
passions and a lifelong source of joy. His love of music began in childhood, growing up in a
home where music was woven into daily life. Joseph often recalled evenings when his parents,
Giovanni and Maria, would entertain family and friends while playing the mandolin and banjo.
Those treasured moments sparked a lifelong appreciation for classical music that remained with
him throughout his life.
At the age of fourteen, Joseph purchased his first guitar and began a lifelong love affair
with music. Gifted with nearly every stringed instrument he touched, he especially enjoyed
playing the piano, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, and harmonica. Throughout his life,
classical music was a constant presence. Whether relaxing at home, entertaining guests, or
spending time with family, Joseph could often be found listening to the composers he loved. His
daughters, Bonnie and Deborah, fondly remember growing up with classical music always playing in the background, creating a home filled with culture, warmth, and appreciation for the
arts.
Joseph was a dedicated member of church choirs in both New York and Florida and
proudly performed with the Mandolin Orchestra of the Italian Heritage Society. He was also an
active member of the Mandolin Society, where he shared his love of music and fellowship with
fellow musicians. His love of music and faith often came together through volunteer
performances at nursing homes, community events, and church functions, where he entertained
audiences alongside close friends.
Another of Joseph’s lifelong passions was amateur radio. A licensed ham radio operator
proficient in Morse code, he spent countless hours communicating with people across the United
States and around the world using the distinctive language of dots and dashes. He was an active
member of the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club and participated in numerous radio
events held at Eisenhower Park and other locations throughout Long Island. Equipped with an
impressive antenna system at his home, Joseph connected with fellow operators around the world
and took great pride in the technical skill, discipline, and camaraderie the hobby provided
His expertise in radio communication reflected both his intellectual curiosity and his
commitment to service. Through specialized licensing and training, Joseph possessed
communication capabilities that could be called upon during emergencies when conventional
systems failed. He appreciated the important role amateur radio operators could play in
supporting communication efforts during times of need and was proud to be part of a community
dedicated to public service, preparedness, and global connection.
A proud Italian American, Joseph spoke Italian as his first language and later mastered
English, Spanish, and French. He carried a deep appreciation for his heritage throughout his life
while embracing the diverse cultures and experiences he encountered.
As a young man, Joseph was also an outstanding athlete. Standing six feet tall, he
excelled in baseball and was known for both his athletic ability and competitive spirit.
Above all, Joseph valued family. As the patriarch of the Spadaro family, he served as a
source of strength, wisdom, guidance, and tradition for multiple generations. He found his
greatest happiness in gathering loved ones together, sharing stories, celebrating milestones, and
creating lasting memories. Whether through his humor, music, faith, generosity, or quiet
leadership, he touched countless lives and left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Joseph’s legacy lives through the family he loved the students and colleagues he
mentored, and the countless lives he enriched through his kindness, wisdom, and generosity. He
will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, and great-grandfather, accomplished professional, faithful Catholic, proud Italian American, loyal friend,
and the beloved patriarch of the Spadaro family.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Giovanni and Maria Spadaro; his siblings Angelo
Spadaro (Josephine), Vincenza Catalano (Attilio), Thomas Spadaro (Lorraine and Florence),
Victor Spadaro (Joan), and Rudolph Spadaro (Carol); and several beloved nieces and nephews,
including John Spadaro, James Spadaro, William (“Billy”) Spadaro, Lena Catalano, and JeanMarie Spadaro, and Joseph Truzzolino.
In the final years of his life, Joseph found comfort in his faith and in the belief that he
would one day be reunited with those family members who had gone before him.
Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his daughters Bonnie and Deborah; his
son-in-law Fred; his six grandchildren; his five great-grandchildren; and many extended family
members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Though deeply missed, Joseph’s family finds comfort in a life well lived and a legacy that
will continue through future generations.