10 The Courier SUN • PERSON OF THE YEAR • JANUARY 2, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com s s joseph m. mattone: a life well lived dedication, Mattone sits on the board of directors for Futures in Education and the Queens Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a board member of St. John’s University and has been a trustee of the institution for many years. “He has an incredible fondness for St. John’s University and St. John’s Law,” Michael Mattone said. “The Vincentian fathers allowed his family to pay tuition when they could, and he has never forgotten that.” As a true display of his commitment to education, Mattone has been quoted as saying, “As the expression goes, it’s either the book or the gun. Choose the book.” Mattone has spent his life and career instilling values of charity, service to the less fortunate and commitment to the community into the lives of his seven children and 27 grandchildren. “My father’s success has enabled him to help so many people along the way,” said Michael Mattone. “He sees it as his obligation to give back, like the many people who helped him along his path to success.” In fact, Mattone has been an active philanthropist since early in his career. In the 1970s, he was honored for his services as chairman of the St. Vincent’s Home, Queens Division. In 1983, he was selected as “Man of the Year” by the Italian Charities of America for his commitment to the organization and the people that it serves. From 1983 to 1987, Mattone served as general chairman of the annual dinner of the Order of Sons of Italy. His fundraising did not stop there, as he served as the general ticket chairman for the Coalition of Italian American Organizations from 1984 through 1995. “In the 35 years I’ve known him, despite the complexity of his life, he has always been able to maintain relationships and always has time for everyone,” said son-in-law, Dr. Gaetano Bello. “He has been so generous and philanthropic and is the best example of what a real father, husband and businessman should be. He is honorable and upstanding. Everyone who knows him admires him.” Throughout his career, much to the honor and delight of his children, grandchildren and loving wife Mary Ann, Mattone has been the recipient of the Good Scout Award from Joe celebrates his birthday surrounded by his seven children the Queens Council Boy Scouts of America, the Progress of People’s Achievement Award from the Catholic Charities, the Community Leader Award from the Queens Symphony Orchestra and the Spirit of Service Award from St. John’s University. The acknowledgement from St. John’s holds particular significance due to Mattone’s personal and professional involvement with the university, where he met his first wife, Irene.
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