Joseph Paul Mortelliti

Joseph Paul Mortelliti, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and community member, passed away at his home on October 16, 2021, surrounded by loving family. Joseph was 89 years old, and a lifelong resident of Elmsford, NY.

Joseph was born in Tarrytown, NY, on October 20, 1931, to Anthony Mortelliti and Margaret (Farfalla) Mortelliti. He graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School, and then from Alexander Hamilton High School as class president. He turned down a football scholarship to John Carroll University to help with the family business. To that end, he attended New York Trade School after graduation to study sheet metal fabrication. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952.

Joseph embraced his time in the army. He was able to attend engineering school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he studied drafting. He was eventually assigned to Company B, 820th Engineering Aviation Battalion, primarily out of Beale Air Force base, in California. His unit was part of SCARWAF (Special Category Army Reassigned With Air Force), an aviation engineering unit that built barracks, roads, and airfields. During his enlistment, he also served at Fort Huachuca, in southern Arizona, and at Edwards Air Force Base, where he helped build rocket testing stations. He loved his time in the service, learning new skills and seeing different and beautiful parts of the country, and he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In November of 1954, Joseph was excited to marry the love of his life, Louisa Olivieri, and his endless enthusiasm for, appreciation of, and commitment to her lasted his lifetime.

Joseph became president of Mortelliti Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, and grew that business to be one of the preeminent roofing companies in the region. His excellent diagnostic, technical, and planning skills, and his ability to do complex restoration work, and sophisticated metal work, as well as residential and commercial roofing, made him a favorite of many prominent local estates and institutions for their more difficult roofing needs. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Joseph also founded and developed a number of real estate holdings in Elmsford.

While Joseph enjoyed golfing and spending time oceanside in Florida when he could, it seemed to his family that his favorite activity was working. He loved taking on projects and seeing them through to completion with men he cared for and thought of as friends. He was mostly interested in the human story of his real estate tenants, and he appreciated the work they were doing. Joseph never truly retired, as he enjoyed his business life so much.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Louisa (Olivieri) Mortelliti, and children Margaret Breen, Dr. Anthony (Dr. Gisella) Mortelliti, and Dr. Michael Mortelliti; his 9 loving grandchildren: Joseph Berkman-Breen JD (Winston Berkman-Breen JD), Chloe Mortelliti, Dr. Michael Mortelliti, Christian Mortelliti, Philippe Mortelliti, Joseph Mortelliti JD, John Mortelliti, Laura Mortelliti and Caroline Mortelliti; sisters Marie (Mortelliti) McIntyre (Dr. John McIntyre), and Dr. Antonia Mortelliti; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joseph is predeceased by his dear daughter Carla Mortelliti (Jose Torres), and his brother Anthony Mortelliti (Mieke Mortelliti).

Joseph was very active in community service. Early on, he was a volunteer fireman. Later in life, he served as a trustee of the Village of Elmsford for 12 years. He was, at times, Chairman of the Village Planning Board and the Village Board of Assessment Review. He also chaired the Village of Elmsford Zoning Board of Appeals and held many Commissioner positions in those years. His contributions to the village were recognized when he was honored as the Grand Marshall of the 2018 Village of Elmsford Memorial Day Parade.

Joseph most enjoyed large family gatherings where he created an atmosphere of support and love that reminded him of his youth. He once said, “We grew up loving one another. We all just did the best we could, the best we could. That’s all.” Joseph leaves a legacy of loyalty, hard work, love and optimism.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Elmsford, NY. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School, 59 East Main Street, Elmsford, NY 10523 or to the Elmsford Fire Department, 15 South Stone Avenue, Elmsford, NY 10523.