Obituary of Joseph F. Mistretta

SARASOTA - Joseph F. Mistretta, 81, of 107 Tahitian Way, North Port, FL., formerly of 215 Myrtle St., Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully at 1:30 PM Monday, January 26, 2015 surrounded by family and loved ones at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL. A resident of the Jamestown area for a majority of his life, Joe was born on February 4, 1933, in Jamestown a son of the late Morris and Josephine Oleandi Mistretta. Graduating from Jamestown High School in 1951, he spent many of his high school years on the baseball diamond and on the basketball hardwood, celebrating a Section VI Title with the Red Raider Basketball Team in 1949 and a Section VI Championship appearance in 1951. While he declined a scholarship offer at the University at Buffalo to play basketball, Joe, affectionately known to many as "Musty," stayed in the area to assist his father in the operation of his family's Jamestown Distributing Company which would remain his employer when he became the company's President in 1978, following his father's passing. After Morris' passing, Joe owned and operated Jamestown Distributing Company until his retirement in 1998. In that time, he enjoyed the association with many of the restaurants and clubs in the Jamestown area and can be widely remembered for starring in and producing his own commercials with most of his grandchildren and beloved friends. In addition to Jamestown Distributing Company, Joe owned and operated Musty's Pizza which included three locations throughout Jamestown and Lakewood. For many years, he was a member of Moonbrook Country Club, and although he was never a "pro," he thoroughly enjoyed the game of golf and was fortunate to have accomplished several holes-in-one. In addition, in 1970, he served on the inaugural committee of the first annual Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament in which he also competed for many years. On April 16, 1955, he married the love of his life, the former Rosemary Sinatra, with whom he spent his entire adult life and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this April. He was especially fond of spending time with his three daughters, their husbands, and his seven grandchildren and supported them all throughout their lives and in all of their activities. In addition to his love for golf, basketball, and baseball, he had an undying passion for the New York Yankees. He was an avid card player allowing him time with his many friends in Lazy River Village in North Port, Fla. While already establishing a number of friendships while living in Jamestown, over the years Joe developed many new friendships in Lazy River. Joe also Surviving in addition to his loving wife are three daughters: Cyndi (Michael) Montini and Joy (John) Hurst, both of Jamestown, and Laurie (Bruce) Stanton of Lakewood, NY; seven grandchildren: Ali (Casey) Digirolamo of Jamestown, Karli Panebianco of Wilmington, NC, John (Natalie) Hurst and Ryan Hurst of Pittsburgh, PA, Cameron Hurst of Jamestown, Marco Paterniti of Ellicottville, NY, and Morgan Paterniti of Pittsburgh, PA; and two great-grandchildren: Max and Lucie Digirolamo both of Jamestown. Also especially close to Joe over the course of his lifetime was his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles (Patricia) Sinatra of Hilton Head, S.C and their children, his four nieces, Kimmarie (Harry) Sinatra of Las Vegas, Nev., Dr. Robbin Sinatra of Nashville, Tenn., Stacie Sinatra, and Leslie Sinatra, both of New York, NY. He was preceded in death by a brother, Vincent Mistretta, who passed away in 2000, his mother Josephine in 1995, and his father Morris in 1978. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James Roman Catholic Church at 10 AM on Wednesday, February 4, his birthday. Rev. Darrell G. Duffy will be celebrant. Friends will be received from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, February 3 at The Lind Funeral Home, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:45 PM. You may light a candle in remembrance of Joe at www.lindfuneralhome.com.