Obituary of Joseph M. Aquilino

Joseph M. Aquilino Jr. (July 20, 1915 -- September 23, 2013 ) Mr. Aquilino was the ninth of twelve children of Guiseppe and Antoinette Aquilino who emigrated to the USA from Bari, Italy in the early 1900s. He was born and grew up in the Astoria neighbohood of New York City. He was married, for 63 years, to Clara (Mikowski) who pre-deceased him in 2003. He is survived by one sister, Mary Paretti of Astoria, NY; two sons, Joseph and Michael; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Herndon. Mr. Aquilino was a World War II veteran. He served with the First Infantry Division and fought with them from the latter part of the Battle of Normandy, to the Battle of the Bulge, and on through the end of the war. He was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medal recipient. As a young man, he worked as a bartender in a family-owned bar and grill. Later, with several of his brothers, he ran a small business as an excavating contractor in the New York City and Long Island area. He was a 50-year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. As a sideline, he entered the harness racing business with his brother Daniel in the late 1950's. His whole family enjoyed this, traveling throughout the northeast to watch his horses race. Mr. Aquilino remained in Astoria, NY until shortly after he married and started a family, when they joined the rush to suburbia, moving to Bethpage, NY. In 1964, after his children completed school, he moved to Whitestone, NY, which was close to his business. Mr. Aquilino retired in 1980 and, in 1984 moved to Pinellas Park, Florida where he lived until 2004 when he moved to Herndon, VA. He liked to garden and during his retirement became an avid bowler, competing in leagues until he was 95. He enjoyed playing cards and going to the horse races. Contributions may be made to the Matthew B. Giannuzzi Scholarship Fund of Holy Cross High School. (Send check directly to Holy Cross: made out to Holy Cross High School with Matthew Giannuzzi Fund in the memo. Address: 26-20 Francis Lewis Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358).