It is perhaps not fully known to many governmental and residential newcomers, but Mastorelli is a walking historical living monument. Mastorelli started out as a Major League San Francisco Giants Baseball Scout, covering Hudson, Bergen and Essex counties. Before that, he was tapped "All American" in Baseball and Basketball at the University of Vermont. He was nicknamed "The Whizzer" because he ran around the bases and basketball court so quick, he even gave New York Yankee Phil "The Scooter" Rizzuto, a run for his money!
However, Mastorelli came back to Hudson County and was appointed executive director of both The North Hudson Community Action Program Corporation and the North Hudson Regional Council of Mayors, both organizations that he founded with federal and state and local grants, to help the North Hudson residents lead a better life, with anti-poverty goals in mind! Both organizations at the time were in Union City and Guttenberg, respectively. Furthermore, he was the executive director of both organizations simultaneously for a time, until he settled in with the Council of Mayors full-time, and the now deceased Union City Commissioner Michael A. Leggiero became the executive director of North Hudson Community Action.
Mastorelli tells us that he served the Mayor's Council when the legendary North Hudson mayors were seated, and they were Mayors William V. Musto of Union City, Louis DePascale and Steve Cappiello of Hoboken, John Armellino and Anthony M. DeFino of West New York, Angelo Sarubbi and Peter Mocco of North Bergen, Herman Klein and Robert Sabello of Guttenberg, Paul Amico of Secaucus, Stanley Iacono of Weehawken, and in his winter years there, also Anthony DiVincent of North Bergen! Most of these former mayors are still with us, and a few are deceased.
Moreover, both organizations also set up satellite offices in Jersey City and West Hudson County when those municipalities requested their services! Mastorelli also helped found the East Bergen Regional Council of mayors along with the then and present Mayor Gerald Calabrese of Cliffside Park, New Jersey.
Mastorelli also served for a time as Hudson County Administrator under retired Hudson County Executive Edward Clark of Bayonne. Named "Man Of The Year - Twice" by UNICO National, Mastorelli shows no signs of settling down after 40 or so years as a public servant, who also helped found the Liberty Village Drug Abuse Center in Jersey City years ago, which was supported by the Hudson County Court system!
Now back in Union City, Mastorelli lives with his lovely wifeJanice, a Ph.D. in Education from Nova University in Florida. No doubt about it, Mastorelli is a community activist and a walking, living, window into the past and present of North Hudson County history. Quite a legend in his own time!!! All the Best...
Rev. Giuseppe Fedele, a native of Delianuova, Italy, has been assigned to the Parish of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Secaucus...
The North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Department recently participated in the "Read Across America" Program at the Robert Waters School in Union City. The Firefighters were: Robert Morrison, William Reed, Henry Ruiz and Chuck Snyder. Also participating was Literacy Teacher Ohilda Morrisonat the school...
Reverend Gary C. Ward of Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Weehawken is celebrating his Jubilee of 25 years in the priesthood. Congratulations....
Delicatessen owners Edward and Elaine La Tour of North Bergen are happily celebrating their 28th Year in their family business. Best of luck and many more!!!...And so it goes...until next time...see you around town..."Matt."
All readers who want to contribute to this column can do so by submitting your news items and photos to: Matthew Amato, columnist; c/o The Hudson Reporter,1400 Washington St., Hoboken, New Jersey 07030. Thank you!
Post a Comment