Mastrangelo enjoyed playing golf and loved watching baseball and football. He was a big Miami Dolphins fan and had a tattoo of the team’s logo on his arm. Ronnie Mastrangelo said that he will miss his brother’s smile, his sense of humor and even his pranks.

Monday, after Mastrangelo’s death, garbage trucks were rolling again. Francese said it was a difficult morning when the staff came to work. “Everybody had a heavy heart,” she said. “There were a lot of men who had a lot of tears in their eyes.”

Leahy noted that the union provided a grief counselor. He said that before the workers went out on their routes, they gathered to share their memories of Mastrangelo.

Village Trustee John Tufarelli said Valley Stream lost a great asset and a great person. “Me, personally, lost a friend, somebody I’ve known for 25 years,” Tufarelli said. “I don’t know how else to say it: he was just a really good guy. I didn’t know anybody that didn’t like the guy.”

Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday morning at Holy Name of Mary Church. Burial was to follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. Flags at village buildings and facilities were flown at half-staff.

Donations sought for memorial

 

A memorial fund has been set up in Mastrangelo’s name. His family is looking to raise money for a memorial and the dedication of a monument in Wayne’s memory to be held in the fall of 2014. For more information, visit www.giveforward.com.