Thursday, October 1, 2026
Joseph Patrick Maroney, an 18-year-old senior at Wellington C. Mepham High School, died April 6, 2026, after a courageous battle with a secondary cancer. He was the oldest of 10 siblings.
Born July 17, 2007, Maroney was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 6 in November 2013. He underwent a bone marrow transplant and entered remission, remaining cancer-free for more than a decade.
In January 2025, Maroney was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sarcoma known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The cancer primarily affected his abdomen and required multiple surgeries, with complications continuing throughout his treatment.
Despite his illness, Maroney was remembered as consistently positive, selfless and deeply devoted to his family.
“He was amazing. He was always very happy, very easygoing. He never complained about any of it,” his mother, Gemma Maroney, said.
Gemma Maroney said her son’s identity was rooted in his role as an older brother in a large family.
“He was the oldest of my 10 children,” she said. “He was always very helpful at home, just an amazing big brother and friend to anybody that he encountered.”
She added that even during his illness, Maroney remained focused on others.
“Ninety percent of the pictures I look at now, he’s holding one of his younger siblings,” Maroney’s father, Christian Maroney, said.
Faith was central to Joseph Maroney’s life and his family’s approach to his illness. The Maroney family, who are Catholic, said prayer was a constant source of strength throughout his treatment.
“We did the rosary a lot,” Gemma Maroney said. “We prayed together as a family all the time. Faith over fear.”
“Joseph really found solace in that,” Christian Maroney added. “In the face of everything, faith in God is what sustained him.”
Maroney’s friend Jackson Amiruddin first met him in 2016 at Sunrise Day Camp in Wheatley Heights, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. The two remained close through summers until 2024.
“He was an overall great kid. He was smart, caring, he was brave,” Amiruddin said. “He was a big family guy.”
Amiruddin said Joseph Maroney’s role as the oldest sibling was always visible.
“He always cared so much about every single one of them,” he said. “You never really saw him in a bad mood. He was always smiling.”
He described Maroney as a steady, trusted presence among friends.
“He was like the ultimate older brother,” Amiruddin said. “If everything was going wrong, he was the guy you could go to and talk to.”
Amiruddin said one of his most meaningful memories came in 2024, when a group of campers formed a close friendship circle, they called the “Sunrise Six.”
Even while undergoing treatment, Amiruddin said Joseph Maroney tried to return as a counselor at camp, despite his health.
“He tried to come back and be a counselor and help others,” he said. “I really admire him for that and how brave and courageous he was.”
In addition to his close ties with family and friends, Maroney was an active member of the Mepham High School community, where he played lacrosse and built strong relationships with teammates, teachers and staff.
School officials said his presence left a lasting impact on those around him.
“Joseph Maroney carried himself with the character, kindness, and strength we hope to inspire in all of our student body,” Principal Anthony DeMartinis said. “Joseph was an avid lacrosse player, and he treasured his role in our successful program. Joseph’s teachers report that he was the consummate gentleman and diligent participant in class; he enriched his class community simply by being himself. Joseph’s genuine goodness and positivity left an indelible mark on our school culture, which is evident by the strong bonds he forged with his peers and teachers. Joseph Maroney will be remembered forever, as a Mepham Pirate of the highest caliber, and we will miss him dearly.”
Joseph was previously honored in 2016 as “Comeback Player of the Year” in a Sacred Heart Youth basketball program after recovering from leukemia.
He is remembered by family and friends as a devoted son, brother and friend whose presence deeply impacted those around him.
“I kind of coined it: ‘What would Joseph do?’” Christian Maroney said. “Because he didn’t have an evil bone in his body.”
Joseph Maroney is survived by his parents, Gemma and Christian Maroney, and his nine siblings.
In reverence to Joseph’s life, the Maroney family held services to honor his memory. An overnight vigil took place on April 13 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Queens. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 14 at the same church. Maroney was then laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
