ROCKPORT – Mr. Joseph "Joe" Anthony Mastro, 84 of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida and Rockport, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Born in Manhattan, New York, he was the son of the late Louis and Sarah (Regalbuto) Mastro.  He was raised and educated in Yonkers and attended Roosevelt High School.

Joe was accepted to Michigan State University as an undergraduate, where he met his loving wife, Mary (Paterick) Mastro, earning his Bachelor's degree. A lifelong learner, he later attended Lehman College, Bronx. NY, where he obtained his Master's Degree in Education. Joe devoted two years as a Peace Corp Volunteer, where he was stationed in Madhya Pradesh, India. This time of volunteerism had a profound impact on his life. He fostered an inner calling to help others that would be his compass until his final days.

Mr. Mastro had been employed for 30 years as a teacher of sixth grade at Arthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet, NY, until the time of his retirement in 1998. Besides his regular duties as a teacher, he volunteered to collaborate with the music teacher to produce and direct after school plays for his students. He was very creative & artistic in his endeavors as an educator.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Joe was known as an avid family-man and care-giver or as Mary referred to him, as a man who manifested a beautiful life because of his familial leadership, unwavering love and unconditional support for his entire family.

Following his retirement, he spent many years with his sisters and his wife, dedicating his time and care for his parents and his aunt. Joe and Mary shared a home in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL and enjoyed spending their winters by the ocean. He was known to be an avid golfer and had a true passion for photography, sharing his keen eye for beauty through his camera's lens. He was a long-time member of the NYSUT: New York State United Teachers Union.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of love through his family, known for his kindness, humanity and deep-rooted dedication to the ones he cared for. Throughout the years his greatest titles were husband, father, papa, brother, friend, cousin and nephew. He will be deeply missed.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary (Paterick) Mastro of Rockport and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fl, his daughter, Melanie (Mastro) Burch and her husband, John Burch of Yorktown Heights, NY, his four grandchildren: Ava (May), Jackson (Tyler), Ciara (Kate) and Kenton (Joseph) Burch, who lovingly referred to him as Papa; his twin sisters, Maria Hallahan of Cooperstown, NY and Theresa "Terry" Zappala and her husband, John Zappala of Wevertown, NY, his dear aunt, Mary Jane Brauch of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: There will be a private family graveside service which will be held at Ferncliff Cemetery, 280 Secor Road, Hartsdale, NY. on September 23rd, 2024. There will be a 'Celebration of Life' event (at a future date) for family and friends in Yorktown Heights, NY at the home of Melanie & John Burch. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Funeral Home (Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations), 167 Maple St., DANVERS, Massachusetts. Condolences can be sent to Melanie Burch/Family & Mary Mastro at 3076 Quinlan Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joe's memory to Peace Corps Plaza at peacecorpslegacy.org ; National Vaccine Information Center at NVIC.org ;  Children's Health Defense at CHD.org or Progressive Radio Voices at PRN.live (646-923-5423.)

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com