Born in Greenwich, CT, to Leonard and Sophie Mancusi, Joe was raised in Stamford, CT and moved to Greenwich, CT when he married Joan Molinari Mancusi.
Joe had a passion for history, for over 40 years at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT, Joe turned his passion into a lifelong calling. To him, history was a grand story that has no ending, and he knew exactly how to make his students feel like they were a part of it. He had an incredible, effortless ability to reach all the students that entered his classroom. While he was famously strict but fair, his classroom was built on absolute mutual respect. He treated his students as young adults, empowering them to grow, and in return, earned their lifelong admiration.
His daily interactions with his students were the heartbeat of his career. Whether he was guiding minds through European History, steering student life as a multi-year class advisor, or leading the faculty as the History Department Head, Joe was a true educator and mentor. He eventually brought that same wisdom, warmth, and steady leadership to the administration, serving his final 10 years as Assistant Principal until his retirement in 2007.
But as profound as his impact was inside of Westhill, Joe’s greatest and most cherished devotion was to his family. He was a loving, kind, patient, and endlessly supportive husband and father. He shared a beautiful life of partnership with his wife, Joan, and poured that same unconditional love, pride, and guidance into his son, Robert. For his family, Joe was an unwavering rock and a constant source of strength.
He was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Byram. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Reader, a Religious Education teacher and was Director of the Religious Education program from 2001 – 2007.
He is survived by his son, Robert. Along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his wife, Joan, and his sisters, Angela Catino and Helen Fuda.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to “The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.” https://www.michaeljfox.org/
