Joseph J. Manfra

Joseph J. Manfra, 85
Devoted family man, retired NYPD officer, Navy veteran
Joseph Jerome Manfra, born Oct. 6, 1932, passed away in his Great Kills home on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, 12 days shy of his 86th birthday.
Joseph, born to Joseph and Angelina Sarah Manfra in 1932, was the first born of three boys, including Frank (deceased), and John, the youngest. Joseph and his brothers were the first generation born in the U.S.
Joseph loved to visit Italy and Sicily, where his family roots are tied, but also had a passion for U.S. history.
On Jan. 10, 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was an aviation mechanic until he was honorably discharged as a third class petty officer on Dec. 27, 1955.
Joseph earned several awards during his time in the military including a Korean Citation, National Defense, American Defense and a Good Conduct Medal.
Joseph continued to stay active as a member of the Beauvais-Hudson Post 126 of the American Legion.
At 24, Joseph met the love of his life, Theresa Manfra (Dono). They married shortly after and raised three beautiful children together until the day Theresa passed at the early age of 52 in 1990.
On Sept. 9, 1965, Joseph joined the New York City police department, where he proudly served for 22 years, retiring July 1, 1987, and had since been the inspiration for many who followed in his footsteps as a police officer. He stayed involved, up until he passed, as a member of the NYC Verrazano 10-13 Association and as a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Joseph was a creature of habit and loved what he loved no matter what. These things included his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, music, dancing and trips to Atlantic City. He loved to share his passions with his family, taking them to the Boxing Hall of Fame, Mets games, train shows and much more.
He spent many days working side by side with his son, sons-in-law, and grandsons on their homes and many contracting jobs.
Joseph is survived by his children and their spouses: Theresa and Nick Canepa, Joseph and Karen Manfra, and Nichole and Steven Ayling; his grandchildren, Nicholas and his wife, Ann, Dina, and her husband, Daniel, Joseph and his fiance, Kristen, Christopher, Theresa and Cameron. Joseph was lucky enough to know his three great-grandchildren, Lucia, Lucas and Enzo.
Visitation is today, Thursday, Sept. 27, at Colonial Funeral Home, from to 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass is Friday, Sept. 28, at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 5411 Amboy Rd., SI 10312, at 11:15 a.m. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 391 Sharrott Ave., SI 10309.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org.
Colonial Funeral Home
2819 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
(718) 351-5858