Joseph A. Mastrianno, Sr. of 38 Wansack Rd., Shenango Township, passed away at 5:00 a.m. Friday, December 05, 2008, in his residence. He was 78.
Mr. Mastrianno was born July 11, 1930 in Farmingdale, Long Island, NY a son of Marcello and Concetta Borghesano Mastroianni.
Moving to Meadville, PA as a child, he was a graduate of Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College. Joe later attended Michigan State University on a scholarship from the National Food Foundation while employed by Kroger's.
He was a Korean War veteran having served with the US Army from July of 1948 to July of 1952. Joe owned and operated the Farrell Golden Dawn Store since Dec. of 1973 until his retirement in July of 1995. He also founded Valley Pharmacy, Farrell, in 1977 and operated both businesses along side each other until his retirement when he turned the reigns over to his sons. They continue to operate the family businesses today. Prior to becoming self-employed, Joe worked for the Kroger Co. from 1953-1959 and Golden Dawn Foods Warehouse in Sharon from 1959 to 1973. Joe also raised buffalo from 1980 to 1998 on his farm, Buffalo Ridge.
He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 160 in Farrell; the West Middlesex VFW, Post 6233; and the Italian American War Veterans, Shenango Valley Post 25. A Free and Accepted Mason, he was a member of the Kedron Lodge No. 389, W. Middlesex; the Scottish Rite-Valley of New Castle; Consistory Legion of Honor, Valley of New Castle; Mercer County Shrine Club; and the Zem Zem Temple, Erie, PA. Joe served on the advisory boards of First National Bank and the former 1st Seneca Bank, both Farrell. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting in Colorado and fishing in Orlando, Florida where he and his wife spent their winters for the past twenty years. He was also a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Carolee Petrini, whom he married August 2, 1958; a daughter, Rose Ann Mumau and her husband Jeffrey, Conneaut Lake, PA; two sons, Joseph Mastrianno, Jr. and his wife Donna, W. Middlesex; and Mark Mastrianno, Sharon; two sisters, Angelina 'Angie' Monico and her husband Frank, Meadville; and Frances DeJohn, Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers, Celestino Mastroianni and his wife Julie, Knox, PA; and Dominick Mastrianna and his wife Genevieve, Hicksville, Long Island, NY; and six grandchildren, Anthony and Christopher Mastrianno; Gina and Eric Mastrianno; and Bryan and Tanya Mumau.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sharon Regional Health System Hospice Home Care, 740 E. State St., Sharon, PA 16146; or Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121.
Memorial Mass will be Saturday, December 13, 2008, in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.
Family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service in the church.
Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.