Joseph

Mauro

MAURO, Joseph, 95, long-time resident of Fairview died Saturday, June 20, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. He was born to Felix and Theresa Mauro in the Shadyside Section of Hudson Heights in North Bergen, N.J. on July 27, 1919. He was a true American hero who proudly and honorably served his country as a Combat Medic for 4 years in the 45th Evacuation Field Hospital Unit of the US Army during WWII, assigned to the European Theatre; and was bestowed 5 bronze stars for remarkable front-line fighting in the courageous Battles of the Normandy Invasion, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe, as well as the renown Massacre at Malmedy (Battle of the Bulge) in Belgium. His outfit liberated Paris; and additionally, first-handedly liberated the Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp in Germany. Prior to enlisting in service, he volunteered in FDR's public work relief's Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC) Program and the National Youth Administration Program (NYA) helping to improve the development of western N.J.'s natural resources. More recently, he was awarded numerous N.J. Distinguished Medals of Honor in 2009, 2010; and, in 2011 his wartime accomplishments were submitted into the National Archives of the Library of Congress via Rutgers University's Oral History Archives. He often visited local schools sharing his poignant war experiences with students of all ages. After WWII, he worked for and was a member of Ford Motor Company, Local Union 906, in Edgewater and Mahwah for 35 years, retiring in 1980. Civically, he was a member of the VFW Post 337, and past-president of the once-established San Paolino Mutual-Aid Society, both in Fairview. He was the loving husband of the former Lucy Santamaria (1986), and the proud father of Philip Mauro (2001). He is survived by his most-caring daughter, Elaine (James) Cigolini of Ridgewood, daughter-in-law Maureen Mauro of Napa Valley, CA; and adoring grandchildren Kevin Cigolini and Erica (Michael) Davenport of Ridgewood, and Ciaran Mauro, Napa Valley, CA. He was second oldest of 6 endearing siblings: Madeline (1972), Ann Giammetta (1998), Josephine DiMauro (2010), Florence Petillo (2012), Alexander of Fort Lee, and Estelle DiRiso in Ohio. He was a favorite person to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and will be profoundly missed yet notably remembered for his inspirational, brave, and positive approach to life. Joseph Mauro was a symbolic representative of the Greatest Generation. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Avenue Cliffside Park, N.J. from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 10 a.m., Our Lady of Grace RC Church, Fairview. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery. Donations to the The Valley Hospital Cardiology Services 15 Essex Road, Paramus, N.J. 07652 (201-291-6000) www.valleyhospitalfoundation.org; or to The NJ Veterans' Memorial Home at Paramus, 1 Veterans Drive, Paramus, NJ 07652 would be greatly appreciated. In addition to hand correspondence, feel free to send tributes and condolences to josephmauro.rememberances@gmail.com. www.akmacagnafuneralhome.com