By EVAN NEMEROFF
Joseph Mondello, chairman of New York State Republican Party and the Nassau County GOP, said "Jesse's political power is the reason why Inwood has done so well. His personal approach with people made him so well known. He knew different proprietors in the area and was always assisting a man or woman out of work that needed help feeding their family. It was this type of relationship with people that made him a good leader and government official that will be very difficult to replace."
A lifelong Five Towner and the husband of the late Maxine "Mickey" Mistero, Jesse Mistero was always at the center of the action in Inwood. "Jesse was very approachable, a true gentleman, and was always willing to help everyone," said Mike DeRosa, co-director of the Inwood 5K Run. "If there were any problems within the community or with the 5K Run, Jesse was the man that was called upon. He was always there getting permits for events and getting proper support from the county, the Town of Hempstead and the police department. He really was the go-to guy whenever something in Inwood needed to get done."
Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise was not only Mistero's cousin, but described him as his best friend. "We were basically twins, acting as one," Parise said. "We attended every meeting and function in the community together. We always went to places and sat next to each other. Without Jesse there is a big void in my life that will never be filled."
Friends described Mistero as a generous, outgoing man who always wanted to do what was right for the community. He helped many local organizations, including the Inwood Buccaneers Club, The Five Towns Child Care Center, Mary's Manor, the Inwood Civic Association and Sons of Italy, and he was a chief of the Inwood Fire Department from 1960 to 1962. He was the founder of the Inwood 5K Run.
"Jesse was a big asset to the community," said Frank DeCicco, president of the Inwood Buccaneers Club for the past 30 years. "He helped out everybody, especially the Buccaneers. He raised money for us and was always looking for people that would make donations to the club. Without his help, we would not be at the successful level where we stand today. He was a great man that will be missed."
Mistero was campaign manager for state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who thought of Mistero as more than a colleague. "He was my campaign manager and co-chair for many of my political events, but more importantly, he was my friend," Skelos said. "More than anything, Jesse was a loving and caring individual. He loved his family, cherished his friends and the wonderful Inwood community. This is a huge loss for the community. He will certainly be missed."
Mistero was a leader of the Republican Party not only in the Five Towns, but throughout the state. He was executive leader of the Inwood-North Lawrence Republican Club and committeeman for the Nassau GOP. "Jesse was the type of political leader that people looked for," said Tony Santino, Nassau County GOP spokesman. "He was well-respected in the community and people went to him for political advice. If there was a streetlight out, a pothole, an elderly relative that needed assistance, the community asked Jesse for help. Jesse is a legend and is a model of what public service is all about. He was the head of the class and people like him don't come along too often."
Mistero also served as the deputy commissioner of the Town of Hempstead's Department of Sanitation. "I was heartbroken when I heard that my close friend Jesse Mistero had passed on," Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray said. "He was more than a valued town employee. Jesse was a beloved community icon in his hometown of Inwood and, on a personal note, I thought of him as a member of my family."
Leatrice Slote Spanierman, retired longtime executive editor of Richner Communications, referred to Mistero as Mr. Inwood. "He was the heart and soul of his town," Spanierman said. "He was the unofficial mayor, governor, president, a powerful and responsive leader who knew almost everyone, every street and everything about his native community. He was devoted to its residents, dedicated to enhancing the lives of his neighbors; he embraced them as family. He was the personification of a doctor of yesteryear, always on call and ready to cure any ills that affected his turf. Jesse Mistero's legacy is everlasting; his spirit looms over Inwood which he loved."
He befriended all kinds of people, his friends said, but Mistero's family came first. His eldest son, Philip, spoke at the mass last Saturday. "My father was always kind and supportive to his entire family," Philip said. "He would participate in any family event that we had. When he was in the hospital and we asked him questions about his health, all he would talk about was our lives. He was always taking attention off himself. His actions spoke louder than his words could or would say. This world would be better if there were more people like Jesse Mistero."
Mistero's roots ran deep in the Five Towns, and his family tree included many of the most familiar Italian-American names in town. Cousins included the Parise family, the Esopas, the DeSettas and the DeJosephs. He is survived by two brothers, Philip and his wife, Patty, and Frank and his wife, Wendy, both of Atlantic Beach; his children, Philip, Adrienne and Debra; an uncle, Midge "Goldie" Occhiuzzo; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, Felice and Vena Mistero; sisters Philomena Mistero Capone and Edith Mistero Pappas; a brother, Dominick; and a cousin, Pete DiSibio.
The Mistero family held visitations for two days. The Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Inwood was followed by burial at Greenfield Cemetery in Hempstead.
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
