BY Jeff Lipton
Mr. Mistero, an Inwood resident, was a volunteer for the Inwood Fire Department before serving as one of five commissioners in the district for the past 13 years.
"He was the kind of guy that made sure that safety was of the utmost [importance]," said Frank Parise, a first assistant chief with the Inwood Fire Department as well as a cousin of Mr. Mistero's. "He made sure to provide whatever equipment would protect the men and women in this fire department, and he did just that."
Mr. Mistero, who is the brother of longtime Inwood Republican leader Jessie Mistero, also was a 30-year member of Peninsula Kiwanis Club in Hewlett and Sons of Italy in America -- Leonardo Da Vinci Lodge No. 2385 in Inwood. He also worked with the Nassau County Board of Elections.
`"He was a very warm-hearted guy who would give you the shirt off his back," said Parise. "Everyone knew him. He was just a great guy.
"He was also very active in the community," he added. "He was the kind of person everyone in the family and the community looked up to."
The fire department held a service last week for Mr. Mistero, which was attended by hundreds of firefighters throughout the county, as well as fire commissioners.
"He was like the nicest guy you could ever meet," said Christopher McGrath, a distinguished past president of Peninsula Kiwanis, who had known Mr. Mistero for many years. "He always had a smile and a kind word to say about everybody.
"Everyone loved the guy. Everyone knew him. He cared more about his community than most people. He was an active member in everything he did," added McGrath, an attorney from Hewlett. "I've known him since I was a kid, and he's the best."
McGrath said the many lives he touched during his life was evident in the long lines waiting to pay their respects to him during the wake at the Lawrence Funeral Home last Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr. Mistero is survived by his mother Vera; brothers Jessie, Phillip and Frank; sister Edith; and 31 nieces and nephews and 30 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his father Felice and sister Philomena.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church last Friday. Interment took place at Greenfield Cemetery. Lawrence Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.
In his memory, donations can be made to the Peninsula Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Frank Mistero, 201 Dayton Street, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509.
