Joseph Robert Muscarello, 87, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away on October 23rd after a long, fulfilling life. Joseph was born on August 19, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, to Louis and Mary (Varriale) Muscarello. Though he spent most of his life in Babylon, New York, he spent the last three years of his life in Central Florida with his wife Joan.
Joseph was married to Joan for 64 beautiful years. They had three children: Bridget, Scott, and Michelle. Along with his wife, Joseph was a devout member of First Presbyterian Church in Babylon, NY, and later, Living Faith Christian Church in Farmingdale, NY and 1st Baptist Church of Leesburg FL.
Joseph grew up in Queens Village NY. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he was a Range Coach at Quantico. After being honorably discharged from the USMC, he worked as a bricklayer in NYC. After working as a bricklayer, he had a coffee truck for 20 years and he worked part-time at a dive shop. After retiring he went back to work for 8 yrs as a custodian at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip NY, where he received an award for Samaritan of the month.
Joseph enjoyed spending time in and on the water. He and his wife were avid scuba divers, having explored waters from the coast of Long Island to the coast of Mexico. He also loved boating, having owned various boats over the years and, later on, kayaking. He enjoyed flying radio controlled airplanes, helicopters and drones with his son Scott. Joe was a skilled musician with the ability to play guitar and banjo. A real “Mr. Fix-It,” (he would “MacGyver it”) he was able to craft projects of varying complexity, and with the patience of a saint, he put in countless hours building model ships.
He is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Mary.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; his children, Bridget Feldman (Robert), Scott Muscarello (Diane), and Michelle Moretti (Michael), his grandchildren, William Muscarello, Victoria Del Plato, (Nick), Alyssa Mirabile(Zack), Nicholas Moretti, and Brianna Moretti; his great-grandchildren, Asher and Evie Del Plato and Madeline Mirabile (due November 2024); and his brother, Robert Muscarello (Rose Marie)
A viewing will occur on Friday, November 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Page Theus Funeral Home in Leesburg, FL. A military honors funeral will follow on the morning of Saturday, November 16, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Leesburg, FL.