Joseph Molinelli

Obituary For Joseph Molinelli

Updated Friday December 26th 10:30am

Due to Winter Storm Warning Funeral Service Has Been Rescheduled.

Visiting Sunday December 28th

2pm - 5pm.

Funeral Monday December 29th

Visiting at Funeral Home 8am

Mass Holy Rosary Church 9:30am.

Interment Resurrection Cemetery

Joseph Molinelli, age 94, of Dongan Hills, passed away on December 21, 2025. He was a Manhattan native of the Lower East Side.

He was a proud Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. After his military service, he attended carpentry and cabinet-making school under the G.I. Bill and generously used his skills to help family and friends.

After moving to Staten Island in 1962, he was employed by the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, where he rose through the ranks to become District Superintendent. During this time, he also worked a second job he loved at the Fulton Fish Market, often sharing stories of heading off to work with his hook and hatchet, and how he never tapped a box. After retiring from the City, he began a third career with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1993.

Active and devoted to his community, he served as Past Post Commander of the Cespino-Russo Post of the American Legion and was an active member of the AARP Dongan Hills Chapter, Knights of Columbus Council 5919, the Korean War Veterans Association, and the Arrochar Friendship Club.

Above all, Joe loved and adored his family, especially his late wife, Lorraine; his son, Andrew; his daughter, Cathie, and her late husband, Tony; his daughter, Barbara, and her husband, Joe; as well as his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The wake will be held on Sunday December 28th from 2 to 5pm at the Hanley Funeral Home (60 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island NY 10306). The funeral mass will be held at the Holy Rosary Church (80 Jerome Ave. Staten Island) on Monday December 29th at 9:30am.