Joseph A. Mandato Sr.

Joseph Anthony Mandato, Sr., 91, died at his home on December 13, 2018. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to the late John and Bessie (Sanzo) Mandato. Joseph and his family moved to Baltimore, MD. Served in the Army Air Corps during WWII then returned to Baltimore where he married the former Thelma Martinelli on September 1, 1951. Spent his entire career in the construction industry. Joe and Thelma moved to Wake Forest, NC in 1987 where he worked as a Project Manager/Estimator for Moxley Masonry, Inc. until 2008.
Our dad was a warm and loving father who set an example of a strong work ethic. He cherished his family and stressed the importance of caring and supporting each other. He loved his Catholic faith and his country. He had a life long love of golf, playing at Paschal Golf Course until his health made it too difficult. He was an avid sports fan and followed the old Baltimore Colts, Orioles and Ravens as well as his adopted Carolina Panthers. He coached youth sports including softball, baseball, basketball and football and was a Charter Member and Past President of the Edmondson Heights - Westview Optimist Club in Baltimore County, MD.

In his retirement years at The Lodge, he was appointed an Ambassador and loved singing, trivia, crossword puzzles and sharing jokes. But mostly, he loved spending time with his family and many friends. He would rarely turn down a good martini.
He was the kindest and most intelligent man you could ever find. His wit and sense of humor were evident until the end.

He is survived by: six children; Toni Mandato Moxley and partner, Duane Schmoeger, John J. and wife, Cindy, Susan Mandato Erat and husband, Mike, Joe, Jr. and wife, Lisa, Jackie Finegan and husband, Patrick, and Jeannette Fisher and husband, Todd; his former son-in-law, Russ Moxley; his loving sister, Elaine Dulys and husband, Vytas and family; twelve adoring grandchildren, John J. Mandato, Jr., , Angela M. Moxley, Andrea M. Squitieri and husband, Joe, Joseph Anthony Mandato III and wife, Alexandra,  Jackie Bumiller and husband, Mark, Philip Fisher and wife, Jessica, Jason Fisher, Colton Fisher, Emily Fisher, Andrew Finegan and fiancé, Sarah Rhodes, Michael Finegan and Jack Finegan; great-grandchildren, Braedon Welsh, Sofia Bilski, Mason and Jackson Bumiller, Charley Mandato and Joseph A. Mandato, IV due in January 2019 and Anthony Joseph Squitieri due in May 2019; step grandchildren and great grandchildren, his many cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends, especially those at The Lodge of Wake Forest.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, his brother, John and sister, Barbara Mandato Duff and their spouses. And his beloved grandson, Erick Nolan.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 28, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Inurnment to follow immediately after Mass in the church Memorial Garden. A luncheon will be provided in the school hall after the inurnment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dad’s memory to the St Catherine of Siena Comfort Committee, 520 West Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587, to the Wounded Warrior Project , PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.

www.brightfunerals.com