Joseph Mortilla

Joseph Mortilla, age 76 and a long time resident of Fishkill, New York, passed peacefully into his heavenly home on Thursday, December 11, 2025 with his adoring wife AnneMarie and several of his closest friends by his side.

Joe, as he was affectionately called by those close to him, was born on August 16, 1949 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York, the eldest child of Rose Scire Mortilla and Joseph Mortilla. He is survived by his devoted wife, AnneMarie, with whom he shared his life and love for fifty-two glorious years. Joe is also survived by two younger sisters, Roseann and Theresa, both of California, as well as by his cousins, Marie Hamel of Riverhead, New York and Craig Scire of New York City, New York.

Joe graduated from Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens, New York in 1967 and continued his education at C.W. Post College in Brookville, Long Island, New York. Joe transferred to Queens College of the City University of New York from which he received his B.S. degree in May of 1973. Joe's studies continued and he eventually was awarded a Master's degree in education from Iona College.

It was at C.W. Post in Brookville, Long Island that the love story of Joe and AnneMarie had its beginnings. It was love at first sight for Joe when he met AnneMarie Cavallaro of Glen Head, Long Island in September of 1967. His future bride was a student at C.W. Post as well, and as the saying goes, they were made for each other.

Joe and AnneMarie were united in holy matrimony on June 23, 1973 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sea Cliff, New York. Their wedding reception followed at the Swan Club in Glenwood Landing, Long Island, a picturesque and lovely setting for the celebration of the bride and groom and of the glorious union of them.

After their marriage, Joe and AnneMarie lived in Peekskill, New York for approximately two and one-half years. They moved to Fishkill, New York in the fall of 1975 and moved into their current home in July of 1977, where many festive celebrations of birthdays, holidays and numerous events were thoroughly enjoyed.

For thirty-two years Joe taught Math and Science at Mount Pleasant Central School District in Thornwood, New York. For Joe, teaching was extremely fulfilling, and he excelled as a teacher and as a help-mate to his students. It was during his teaching years that Joe formed a lifelong friendship with two other teachers, Santo Ciccone and Buzz (Joseph) Smaila.

Joe and his wife AnneMarie formed lifetime friendships with many people through the years. Joe will be greatly missed by many and these caring friends will continue to be a part of AnneMarie's life. It simply isn't possible to list of all of those whom Joe touched with his love, his humor and his kindness, but he will be sorely missed by Rita and Buzz Smaila, Santo and Jeanne Ciccone, Grace and Freddy Wasserman, Rosemary and Lou Tamburri, and Verna and Don Thorn, to name just a few.

Many of their friends' children greatly mourn the loss of Uncle JoeJoe. Although Joe and AnneMarie never had children of their own, they were blessed to be the godparents of several children of their dearest friends: Christine (Chrissy) and Sara, daughters of their dear friends Rita and Buzz Smaila; daughter Joanna of their dear friends Grace and Freddy Wasserman; Kevin, the son of dear friends Isabel and Tom McAdams.

As godparents, Joe and AnneMarie enjoyed the love and devotion of these children through the years. Chrissy and Sara, along with their spouses Brendan and Justin and their children, have continued to be involved in Joe's and AnneMarie's lives. That love will continue endlessly as AnneMarie continues to enjoy the glorious role of godparent to these successful and mature daughters.... la familia!!

Once Joe retired in June of 2004, he and his wife AnneMarie enjoyed a fair amount of travelling. They visited many of the United States, including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts and Maine. Their travels also took them to Europe and the Caribbean. Both Joe and AnneMarie are connoisseurs of fine dining---they found wonderful restaurants throughout. They also dined at home with Chef AnneMarie preparing luscious entrees and desserts, thoroughly enjoyed by Joe and their friends. In the last several years, Joe and AnneMarie traveled mostly to Cape Cod where they were welcomed by hosts and restaurant owners with smiles and open arms. On a trip which they made to Maine in June of 2021, they spent time with AnneMarie's cousin, Anita Volpe and her beloved German Shepherd, Truman. Lobster and more lobster tickled their palates!

All who wish to honor the memory and life of dearest Joseph Mortilla may attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill, NY on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314 or by visiting www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. For online tributes, visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.