Gr. Uff. Joseph Maselli,
Trustee Emeritus of the
Italian American Museum,
has died at age 85
October 19, 2009
The Board of Directors of the Italian American Museum regrets to inform you of the passing of Gr. Uff. Joseph Maselli, Trustee Emeritus of the Italian American Museum.
Mr. Maselli founded the American-Italian Renaissance Foundation, oversaw an American-Italian Sports Hall of Fame and participated in the civic life of New Orleans as well, as a member of the New Orleans Aviation Board, the French Market Board, the state Board of Ethics and the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Although Mr. Maselli knew the Italian experience in New Orleans as well as anyone, and better than most, he grew up near Newark, N.J., and did not visit New Orleans until he was shipped here as a young GI during World War II. The son of immigrant parents, Mr. Maselli had grown up speaking Italian on the streets of Belleville, N.J.
Besides his wife Antoinette, Mr. Maselli is survived by sons Joseph, Jr., Frank and Michael; a daughter, Jan Maselli Mann; a brother, Dominick Maselli; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday at 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1139 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., followed by Mass at noon. Interment will be in Lake Lawn Cemetery. Lakelawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Italian Renaissance Foundation; P.O. Box 2392, New Orleans, LA 70176. For your convenience your donation can be mailed directly to the Italian American Museum at 155 Mulberry Street, NY, NY 10013 and we will forward it to the foundation on your behalf.
