Community seeks support for Saporito siblings

It’s often said that in times of need, we lean on our community to give us strength. That is true of siblings Mary and Paul Saporito, who recently lost their father, and turned to Wantagh-Seaford for support.

On Nov. 19, longtime Wantagh resident Jeffrey Saporito, 63, died of Covid-19. He was a veteran member of the Wantagh Preservation Society, and its president from 2005 to 2007. A master carpenter, he owned and operated Saporito Contracting Inc. He helped repair the Wantagh Museum grounds, including the reconstruction of the post office on the site.

Saporito was also an active member of St. William the Abbot RC Church in Seaford, his cousin Dolores Williams-Hassell said. “He was steadfast  . . . a warm and loving person, and a faithful servant to the Lord,” she said. “He was a lector at their church, and raised his children to be devoted to their faith and their community like he was.”

Saporito was a devoted family man, Williams-Hassell added. He left behind two children, Mary, 15 and Paul, 12. Their mother, Ann, died several years ago.

In an effort to support the siblings, West Islip resident Charles Gandolfo, Mary and Paul’s second cousin, who helps care for them, has organized a fundraiser via GoFundMe. “As a single parent, my cousin Jeff worked tirelessly to make sure his children would grow up in a quality environment,” Gandolfo said. “We want to continue to make that happen for them.”

The siblings are now in the care of Gandolfo, Williams-Hassell and Jeffrey’s other cousin, Danny Saporito. The trio take turns at the Saporito home in Wantagh. The money raised on GoFundMe will go toward the house’s mortgage, utilities, taxes, insurance and other bills.

“We want to keep them in their same schools, in their church, and above all, we want them to be able to stay in their family home,” Gandolfo explained. “We don’t want to take them out of the environment that they’re comfortable in.”

Paul is in seventh grade at Seaford Middle School, and Mary, a Seaford High School sophomore, is a member of Girl Scout Troop 3614. Both have been altar servers at St. William the Abbot, and plan to do so again, Williams-Hassell said, adding that both children have said they want to stay connected to the community. They continue to attend services at the church.

“The community has helped raise Mary and Paul,” Williams-Hassel said. “They are such an interwoven part of their community, and we really want to keep them with their extended family … their neighbors and their school friends.”

Mary and Paul Saporito with their father, Jeffrey, in May 2015. The siblings, whose mother died several years ago, lost their father to Covid-19 last …

Mary plans to attend college, and her family aims to send her to a university that’s suitable for her, Gandolfo said. “The goal of this fundraiser,” he said, “is to help allow Mary and Paul to continue their life’s journey as close to their normal life as possible.”

Danny Saporito said his late cousin was committed to his immediate and extended family. “Family always came first to Jeff,” Saporito said. “No shortcuts were taken when it came to his family or raising his kids. He wanted everything to be done perfectly, and he paid great attention to detail.” He was also devoted to the rest of the family, Danny said: Jeffrey would often visit Danny’s father and any relatives that were sick or in need.

The family has received support from Wantagh, Seaford and beyond — not only other parts of Long Island, but other states. When Jeffrey was hospitalized, community members provided the kids with food, Williams-Hassell said. Residents and Mary’s and Paul’s schools sent over canned foods and gifts.

“We were overwhelmed with all the generosity from the people in Wantagh and Seaford,” Williams-Hassell said. “They’ve been stopping by the house, asking how they can help and extending comfort to Mary and Paul. Many have also told me they’re planning on sending gift cards.”

As of Monday, more than 250 people had donated nearly $22,000 for the siblings.

“People from all over Long Island, and even from outside the state — some that I haven’t spoken to in years — have called me and offered to help,” Gandolfo said. “It’s amazing to see how many people are coming forward and doing the right thing.”

Donations to the Saporito children can be made on Gandolfo’s GoFundMe page.