Obituary

Joseph Germano

Joseph was born June 19, 1925, at 438 Center Avenue in Mamaroneck to Gaetano and Bernarda Germano. He attended local schools and graduated from Mamaroneck High School in 1943. World War II had already started. In May 1943 he took a day off from school with Albert “Babe” Etre and went by train into NYC to join the United States Marine Corps. Joe reported for Boot Camp on August 1, 1943. He was part of 24 Communication Marines commissioned to the USS Eldorado AGC II on August 25, 1944 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The USS Eldorado Amphibious Group Command was the flagship of Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner USN commander of the Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet.

Also aboard the USS Eldorado was Marine General Holland Smith, USMC commander of the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. On the ship was also Army General Simon Buckner commander of the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. A sniper bullet on Okinawa killed General Buckner during the invasion of Iwo Jima.

Also, on board the ship was the photographer Joe Rosenthal who took the flag raising picture on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. Joe participated in the battles Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the invasion of the Philippines. The USS Eldorado was assembled with the fleet in Manila Bay to invade the mainland of Japan when President Truman had the atomic bomb dropped and the Japanese surrendered. Joe said later that it saved many American and Japanese lives, including his.

Joe’s next tour of duty was at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and he was discharged in 1946. He returned to Mamaroneck where he worked in the auto and truck repair business as the owner of Mamaroneck Garage until he retired at 70 years of age. During that time, he was a Life Member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Posts 1156, the American Legion Post 90, the Elks Lodge # 1457, the Victoria society III, a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, Seagoing Marine Association and a lifelong parishioner of St. Vito Most Holy Trinity Church. He is also a member of a few senior golf associations and a more than 60-year member of Bonnie Briar Country Club. In 2016, the Board of Governors of Bonnie Briar voted to designate him as an honorary life member.

Joe gave back to his beloved community. He donated land for the EMS building on Barry Avenue, was a Traffic Commissioner, and was a member of the Mamaroneck Public Library Board of Directors. He served as a volunteer on many committees over the years. Joe donated the 1869 School House “Bell” that was moved to the Post Road at Harbor Island.

He loved Mamaroneck Harbor and could be found asking his children, or anyone who drove with him: “Is the tide in, or out?” This became one of Joe’s life’s metaphors.

Joe married the former Louise Acocella with whom he had four daughters: Patricia Doniger, Diane Germano, Lisa Germano (Lawless) and JoAnne Germano (Healey). He has four grandsons and five great-grandsons.

He is the brother of Frances (deceased), Minnie Grossi (deceased), Jill Fiorito (deceased), Carmelo Germano (deceased) and Ann Enke (deceased).

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Joe has told many a story since all his family can remember. This website is created and dedicated to everyone who knows and loves Joe, to give him a tribute as he celebrates his 100th birthday. We are excited to hear your stories. But, don’t delay, this website will only be up for a few months. We hope you check back to read other stories. You can post as many as you want – Click Here to See More Stories, Leave a Comment and/or send us a Note!

Introduction

Joseph Germano – known by family and friends simply as Joe – is a figure whose life story exemplifies the American spirit. Born in Mamaroneck, New York, Joe’s journey from a small-town youth to a Marine Corps veteran, a successful businessman, philanthropist and dedicated community leader, has connected with many people over the decades.

This book is written to inspire and celebrate a life of service, entrepreneurship, and community dedication as Joe becomes a centenarian. His family is proud of his accomplishments, many of which he would not have achieved without the encouragement and dedication of his wife of 58 years, Louise Germano, a pillar of the Mamaroneck community in her own right.

If you read this small book about a man small in stature but large in life and are not in some small way inspired, read it again. As Joe would say, you weren’t paying attention. Yes, Joe was bold, direct in his speech as he never had enough time to do all he wanted to do.

Throughout this book you will see many of the “Joeisms” that people who know him well will recognize, if you pay attention and perhaps they will make you laugh with recollection. Joe is the best storyteller ever – and this is his story.