Joseph Gazza was born on a small farm in Farmingdale, on the first day of spring, March 21, 1917. Like the spring, Joe was ever optimistic, always with a sunny disposition and looking forward to the next day. At age 4, Joe’s family had to move because his dad lost the farm. Joe eventually had to drop out of high school and took any job to help his family, including riding 26 miles daily through Farmingdale delivering newspapers. His life was one of hard knocks, but came with lasting friendships and generosity for those he cared for. During WWII he worked in aircraft factories fabricating parts for planes. This led him to start his own machine shop business in his mother’s garage. This soon became a growing family business with the help and dedication of his wife, Dorothy. With his intimate knowledge of Farmingdale and the income from his machine shop, Joe began his real estate career. Joe first built homes for returning GIs, then quickly expanding to commercial and industrial developments. He became one of the largest private industrial developers on Long Island, including the Farmingdale area and Route 110 corridor. When asked about his success, Joe would modestly reply, “I am lucky, the harder I work, the luckier I get.” Everyone who knows Joe knows that he was a simple man, who would make a lasting deal based on a handshake, and would help people to start and grow their business. Recently he sat in his office while many of Long Island’s most successful businessmen came to bounce off ideas and reminisce over the history of Farmingdale. When they left, it was with his ideas, advice and a new joke. If they brought young children, they too always left with candy and change from Joe’s pocket. Joe will always be remembered for his work ethic, his generosity, his shock of white hair and his famous funny stories. He is survived by his family and so many friends. Arrangements were made by Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Kilian RC Church, Conklin St., Farmingdale. Interment will be private.
