Joseph Pascarella spent a lot of his time on Maple Avenue in Westbury. He could often be found at the VFW Hall, where he was a commander and active member, or next door at the Maria SS. Dell’Assunta Society, where he was a member and has served as president.
So when his children decided to dedicate a street after their father, a lifelong Westbury resident and veterans’ advocate who passed away in December 2013, it was a no-brainer as to which one they would choose.
“Maple Avenue and the VFW Post have a special meaning to my family,” said son Joseph Pascarella Jr. “My parents spent 57 years in that hall and we would often come down and help landscape and keep Maple Avenue presentable.”
At a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, a portion of Maple Avenue in front of the VFW Hall was renamed Joseph Pascarella Way. County Executive Ed Mangano attended the event and shared his memories of Pascarella, who served as the Director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.
“We’re here to honor a true patriot and friend to Nassau County and our veterans. He leaves a legacy we can all be proud of,” said Mangano. “He was a friend to us all. When we pass by, we can now remember the contributions he made.”
Pascarella is survived by his wife Marion, his five children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. His daughter Joann says that seeing the sign will be a great reminder for not only the community, but the family, as to the legacy of Joseph Pascarella.
“We want my father’s name to live on, he did so much for us as a family and community. We wanted him to be remembered,” said his daughter Jo Ann Fresa from Westbury. “This is an honor for me, as well as my brothers and sisters. Every time we go down this street, it’ll bring a smile to our faces, even on the bad days.”
Pascarella was also recently honored this past Veterans Day, when the Village of Westbury rededicated the interior room of the VFW Post (now the Westbury Military Historical Collection) as the Louis R. Corte and Joseph N. Pascarella Memorial Room.
