Joseph Masiello

1920 - 2009

On April 29, 2009, long time Channel Islands resident Joseph Masiello passed away.

Born in small province of Naples Italy on February 10th 1920, Joe immigrated to the United States in 1935. He became a student at Garfield High School in Los Angeles with his brothers Nick, Mario and Alfred. In 1941 he joined the Navy and quickly rose through the ranks to become the regiment cook and was responsible for the meals served to 40,000 men a day. After his service, Joe, Nick and Mario opened Masiello Pastries in the heart of downtown Los Angeles on 42 and Broadway. There they began establishing one of the most well respected French and Italian bakeries in the city. They served all of Los Angeles and beyond along with TWA airlines and became an integral part of the Italian American community in Los Angeles. T

hrough Charitable donations, service and organizational efforts, they helped fund and build Casa Italiana, a meeting place and event center for the Italian American community. Through these efforts, Villa Scalabrini, a nursing and elder care facility was also built. A large bronze statue of Romulus and Remus called the "Lupa" donated by Joe and Nick sits at the entrance to Casa Italiana commemorating their efforts. Joe was the recipient of countless awards for his civic service including the prestigious Commendatorre Ufficiale, which singled out his tremendous commitment to the community. Joe and Nick moved the business to Montebello and finished out a 34-year career before retiring.

Joe moved to Mandalay Shores in Oxnard where he lived for 30 years with his beloved wife Carmella. Joe was 89 years old and is survived by his wife of 67 years Carmella, his two children Alodia Pontrelli and Joe Masiello, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed and may he rest in peace.