Joseph L. Megale

1929 - 2023

Megale - Joseph, L., left us too soon at the age of 94 on October 27, 2023. Born in New York City on April 6, 1929 and moved out to Baldwin at the age of 9 where his parents, Lorenzo and Paulina opened the first Italian Restaurant in Nassau County on Long Island, The Old Venice Inn. Drafted out of Baldwin High School on a Football Scholarship by Bear Bryant in his early days at Kentucky. Feeling like he was too far from home and his Mother's sauce, he decided to return to Baldwin only to discover that his Father would prevent him from eating another home cooked meal until he was enrolled back into College one way or another. This immediately lead to another Full Ride Football Scholarship, this time at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Between his Junior and Senior years of College, he went to Paris Island, South Carolina where he graduated the grueling training program and became a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. During his Senior year back at school and playing Football, he suffered a major knee injury requiring surgery, so he received an Honorable Discharge from the USMC. After College, the US Army came knocking but he assured his Mother that his knee would definitely prove unworthy for Military Service and that he would be home for Dinner shortly after his Army Physical. Needless to say, his knee performed fine that day so he called his Mother from the road heading down South to Basic Training. He was trained as a Demolitions Expert but ended up serving on Special Forces playing Football all throughout Europe during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return home, he moved back down to Williamsburg, Virginia, site of his Alma Mater and opened up the Colonial Restaurant with a friend and armed with his Mother's recipes, they served the best Italian Food the South had ever seen. There he met the Love of his Life, Patricia Raleigh Amole then a student at William and Mary and never looked back. While running the Colonial, he earned his Master's Degree in Education and began Teaching and Coaching Football. With his first Son born in Virginia in 1958, they moved up to New York in 1959 where they continued to build a Family in Freeport, Long Island. He taught Phys Ed at Uniondale High School where he proceeded to Coach the Football Team to Victory in the County Championship. He continued his career out in the Brentwood School System as District Athletic Director and later on as Assistant Principal where he retired in the late 80's. Because he couldn't figure out how to be retired, he continued to work in Sales and Marketing in the Construction Business as well as other endeavors for many years. Known by many and loved by all, he left his mark wherever he went and will be dearly missed. Survived by his loving wife Patricia Amole Megale, sons Larry (Megan), Joe, Chris (Curt, Judi) and Roger (Tiffany) along with grandchildren Kelley, Shea, Jack, Olivia, Isabel, Sofia, Lily and Luca as well as nephews Tom, Ryan, Devin and nieces Melinda, Laurie Ann, Pauline and Carolyn, sisters-in-law Debra and Marilyn along with beloved 2nd and 3rd Cousins. Predeceased by his grandson Matthew, parents Lorenzo and Paulina, brothers Tom and Vince, sister-in-law Louise, beloved in-laws Roger and Mary Amole and brother-in-law Roger Amole Jr as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. Family will receive Visitors at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2-5pm and 7-10pm, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, 24 Westminster Road, West Hempstead, NY on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10am, Interment at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.