Dean Michael A. Simons and the entire St. John's Law community mourn the passing of Joseph M. Mattone, Sr., whose strong work ethic, New York City street smarts, and keen business acumen took him to the heights of local and national real estate development.

Joe was the Brooklyn-born-and-raised grandchild of Italian immigrants who arrived in New York in 1875 with hope for a better life. He honored their sacrifices, and those of his parents and eight older siblings, by excelling as a young student at St. John’s Prep, gaining admission to St. John’s University, and becoming the first college graduate in his family.