My condolances to the family. We hung out on 99th Street and Amsterdam.  Maffia would come to our apartment Douglass Housing.  with my brother Efrain A/K/A Taki149. Sleep in Peace. Nilsa Rivera

He is a great teacher, benefactor of my life. I really give thanks to God that I get the opportunity to know him and have fellowship with him. 

-Junhao

Joe’s passing is a shocking loss. My deepest condolences go out to his family, his friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.

I first got to know Joe over 30 years ago, in the early 90’s, thanks to our kids. I lived on the Upper West Side, not far from Joe and his family. Our daughters were best friends, so that meant lots of playdates—and on weekends, that meant dads on duty.

You meet many parents when your kids are young, and often those connections remain surface-level. Not with Joe. From the beginning, we hit it off. We’d take the kids to Riverside Park or Central Park, head to a playground, go biking—whatever the day brought. Those outings weren’t just for the kids: Joe was great company.

He had a calm, natural ease about him, and he clearly loved being with his daughters. He knew the UWS inside and out, navigated it with relaxed confidence, and could talk about anything. He was thoughtful, aware, and present—never posturing, in his element, always himself.

There always seemed to be something going on in his life, something that caught his attention and that he pursued. And he could always surprise: buying a hot dog at the Soubrette stand and asking for no bun (turned out he was on the Atkins diet); giving expert play-by-play as we watched my first pay-per-view boxing match; or casually warning me that my name might appear in the paper because it came up in testimony.

Later, we also worked together—I spoke on a panel at one of his training events, and he generously helped my business school team by joining us for a meeting with a prospective vendor.

As I think about Joe, it strikes me that he only ever mentioned his triple-jump days in passing, never bragging. I looked it up and discovered his record at Iona lasted 47 years! 

I think that the same qualities that defined him as an athlete— skill, balance, power—endure about him most vividly, along with his brains, his wit, and his generous heart.   

May his memory be a blessing.

I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of my old friend Joe Maff.  He was a good friend once upon a time and I'm thinking of him often lately.  I live out of the area and thought I could make his service, but unfortunately I am unable to attend, so I want to convey my deepest sympathy to his entire family and share some of my memories here. 

I first knew Joe in Fall 1973.  Power Memorial freshmen and homeroom classmates.  Shy, self-effacing.  He had an aura.  We talked, hey, I'm from Brooklyn.  Hey, he said he was a graffiti artist (hope I don't get anyone in trouble :-)). What the hell is that I said. OK then. His nom de plume was "B-1".  Afterwards when I'd see him I'd say "hey I saw your work on (some IRT) line" and he'd laugh.  Probably after a while the brothers at Power or his family persuaded him to take up another "hobby" :-). We were track teammates the last couple of years.  He was a triple jumper, I ran cross country. We graduated in '77. He attended Iona College, I headed west to college in Texas.  We'd see each other those first few summers through a mutual acquaintance that got us summer jobs working on the Dayliner, the sister line to the Circle Line tour boats. Longshoreman's union, yeah right. We kept crossing paths. He also was jumping some for Iona, and he reached out to me a couple times for coaching info since my college coach had coached olympians in the event. 

Over time life takes over and we lost touch after college. So many years. I'd see him at the occasional Power reunion. I knew he did well after college and was proud of his accomplishments, especially when he was in the newspapers :-).  We laughed together about that one. 

Joe to me was a guy who lived a truthful life.  When he ran for office a couple years ago I thought "there goes a guy that would really make things better".  That election really was the city's loss.

Prayers for his family.

I am saddened to learn of Joseph's death. I remember meeting Joe in 2022 when he ran for office to make a difference. His slogan, "Vote Maffia or Else", was witty and humorous. May God rest his soul. A wonderful man, who seemed larger than life.

I am so sorry to hear about this and Joe's sudden passing.  I served with Joe on Community Board 5, and the PSQL-SLAP Committee where we shared many due-diligence assignments together, talking, joking, donning hard hats upon occasion , and trying to do right by finding solutions that all elements in the neighborhood could support.  Joe was insightful, the master drafter of resolutions and stipulations, and always had a unique insight into whatever issues came up before CB5.  To his family, please accept my condolences on is passing - he will be missed.
Tod Shapiro

MJ

I just learned of Joe's passing from Steven Zellin. I had known Joe for probably 35 years, we served on NYSSCPA's Entertainment & Sports Committee and he nominated me as his successor as Chair of the Committee. At one time we even talked about a possible merger when my partner at the time retired. i had just reached out to Joe and we had a Zoom call on July 3rd after not speaking for many years. It was great catching up with Joe. So sad to hear this . If you ever need anything feel free to reach out . 917-239-3630 or john@jalarossacpa.com.  I am happy i did get to speak with him and catch up in July

Joe was my accountant for many years. He was always available, conscientious and highly competent. He was a great man.
I send my condolences to his family.
With sympathy, 
Carol Wetherbee

I was a former student of Professor Maffia’s Auditing class back in 2022 and I remember his passion, his willingness to help every student, and his sense of humor. He was one of the many professors in the Accounting Department who wanted to see every student learn and not fall behind in his class while also throwing in his stories and jokes to make the class fun. To me, this shows the kind of person he was, someone who was passionate about their job while also trying to brighten everyone’s day. 

The last time I spoke to him, I asked him if he could write me a letter of recommendation which he happily replied he would but never got back to me about it. Now, I don’t really care about the Letter of rec anymore, I just wish I got to speak to him one last time before he passed on. Though I’ll never get to speak to him again, he lived a rich and fulfilling life and left behind a wonderful legacy and I’m gonna miss him.

Joseph Maffia was my professor. Very generous. Tears run down my face as I type this. When the semester came to an end, I was 1 point away from an A, and was given an A-  I texted him and asked him to change it. He said he would. He was so busy, it took him a few weeks but he did it. A man of his word. He was my role model in a lot of ways. I’ll forever hold him close in my heart.

I took Professor’s Maffia’s auditing class just this past May. it was probably the only accounting class i’ve taken that I actually cared about and was interested in learning.

I joined the class late and I remembered I went to his office to find him and talk him into letting me into his already full class. I hadn’t even said anything yet and he offered me his bag of chips. I could immediately tell he was of good character based off of that one interaction. In the classroom and outside of it, Professor Maffia helped me in ways he definitely didn’t have to. God bless his family and may he rest in perfect peace.

I loved getting to know Joe through the New Dramatists board and I was very flattered that he came to see two of my plays this past season. His care and concern for the arts and all things New Dramatists was very touching to witness first hand. He will be greatly missed. xx

I will miss Joe Maffia, even though I just met him working on the building committee for New Dramatists.  He was a great citizen and supporter of the arts and community building; strong minded and caring.  What an honor it was to have known him even for the short time we shared together.  My condolences for this great loss to all who loved him, Ken Prestininzi

Sending  my heart felt condolences to MJ and the Maffia family. I am so sad. Joe was such a lovely, funny and down to earth man. We met through the Met Club and always enjoyed seeing Joe and MJ at various events. 
Dearest MJ,  you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 
Georgiana and Nick Viest

Good friend.  Awesome guy. Joe was a great man, very kind and generous.   He tried to help those less fortunate. He was very charitable.  He didn't make a big deal about it. He will be missed.

Joe Maffia was highly gifted retail politician, a passionately committed artist, and gentle kind man who could always be relied on to deliver sage counsel in a compassionate manner. He brought so much to this city and to all the people who knew him. I can only imagine how devastating this sudden loss is to all the others who knew him and loved him.

- Pete Holmberg

Joe was a wonderful and altruistic man who cared deeply about his community. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family.
Best
Allie Nigolian

My condolences to all that worked with Joe at JANOVER LLC.  I will miss him and his laugh and his big hugs (oh, quiet HR).  He was our teddy bear, our go-to when we needed an answer at 8 PM on a financial statement, because he was still there.  Perhaps he was still there because he just gave it me that financial to edit at 7:30 PM.

Of course, my condolences to his family and everyone who has may have met one of the most spectacular humans God gave us.

Bernice Svingos

My heart is broken. Joe has been very influential in my life. He was a very dedicated board member of the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association with a tremendous amount of input. I first met Joe at a PMAAA dinner where he inquired about membership onto the board. Of course, he was welcomed with open arms. We have worked together over the years and became more than brother alumni. We always shared a laugh whenever we were together. Joe was a man who possessed integrity and honor within is soft demeanor, a true gentleman. God bless you, Joe!!

Really saddened to hear the news about Joe.  I served with him as a NASBA volunteer.   He will be sorely missed!

I met Joe through New Dramatists, where he sat on the board and I was a resident writer. My first introduction to him was when he joined a meeting one spring afternoon a year ago. He was the only one who’d arrived by bike, besides me. He remarked cycling was the easiest way to get around town, and I couldn’t agree more. Later, when things were winding down and we migrated to a cafe for drinks, he was ready to say goodbye when the server came by with the menu. Joe took a glance, asked if a rare beer was available, and hearing it was, decided to pull up a chair. I love that the prospect of good beer, and hopefully good company, got him to press pause on his New York City day.

I also recall a theater outing organized by a New Dramatists staff member for an experimental play—the kind that even fans of experimental work might find challenging. At the end of 2.5 hours, made longer by a technical issue that took half an hour to fix, but also more tolerable by the Sour Patch Kids he’d brought along, Joe sat calmly in his seat after the lights came up and said, ‘I have so many questions about what we just saw.’

More recently, he was a participant in a few living room gatherings I co-hosted, where associates of New Dramatists gathered in a neutral space and spoke from the heart about issues that affected the organization. Compared to regular folk, it’s easier for theater people to be vulnerable. I wasn’t sure how Joe was going to fare. At first he was shy, perhaps even scared. Then he opened up about his history with New Dramatists, and his fears and hopes for its future. He was genuine and articulate, and may have single-handedly changed the image of a board member for all the writers in the room. 

In the time I knew Joe, our varied conversations made a lasting impression. It’s easy to imagine the profound impact he must have had in other areas of his life. I mourn and celebrate Joe in the same breath, and am so thankful I got to cross paths with his big, curious soul.

Shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Joe. My sincere condolences to MJ and family. Joe was a wonderful human being. He was not only a colleague but a friend who always was there to offer his perspective whether business or personal. He was the go to on all accounting matters as well as Tesla.  During Covid we would get together with other colleagues and play online poker to keep our sanity.  Joe was one of a kind. Rest in peace my friend.

I send my heart felt condolences out to MJ and from the McVey family we send our love. He was a long time friend from our neighborhood. From Billy, Robert and Mickie McVey we send our love and condolences.

I was assigned to observe Joe's teaching for Auditing at Hunter College.  He was very engaging with his students, and he even spoke about his nervousness in running for public office.  He kept in touch with his students and even helped one of his former students with the Audit section as she was studying for the CPA exam. Joe was great with students, and he will be missed by everyone at Hunter.
   -Professor Michelle Liu, Hunter College

This is absolutely heartbreaking. Joe was a fantastic teacher, and his students adored him. Please pass along my sincerest condolences to his entire family.

Judy

My sincere condolences to Joey's family, friends and Power classmates. I haven't seen Joey since the day that we graduated, but I never forgot him. I can clearly see him in our high school teen years (1973-1977): a tall, handsome, fun guy. I'm certain that he will be dearly missed. I wish him eternal peace.
                             Michael Plotino - PMA 1977

Dearest Family,
With overwhelming sadness, Paul and I are wishing you and the family our deepest condolences. Joe was a friend, a colleague and a mentor and was always available to  offer an abundance of information and guidance. He will be truly missed.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Sharon

I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Joe Maffia—his wife MJ, their two daughters, and his grandchild. I was stunned to hear of his passing only moments ago.
Joe entered my life during one of my most difficult times. I had just produced my first off-Broadway show, raised a substantial amount of money, and suddenly had to issue tax documents to investors after the show closed. I was buried under a mountain of accounting issues. With generosity and humor, Joe guided me through. He laughed at my missteps, I teased him back, and together we found our way through. He and his then-accounting-partner David truly dug me out of that hole.
Later, when I returned to graduate school and wasn’t earning much, Joe graciously referred me to a more affordable accountant—who, with deep irony, was the one who just called to tell me of Joe’s passing.
Joe was a gentleman—sharp, funny, and gracious. My life is better for having known him. I send my deepest condolences. May Joe rest in peace and in power.

I am deeply sorry for everyone's loss of Joe, especially the loss for Joe's family.  It was my pleasure to briefly work with him at Armanino and discover his love for MJ and family in various conversations.  On one long drive from the City to the Island, he really let me know how much he loved his family and his City and it appeared each passing mile towards the burbs only happened because his Tesla was on auto-drive.  The closer we got the more he wanted to turn back; I can tell he didn't like it out there.   I don't think we would have made it if Joe had to proactively drive to Garden City, the burbs are not in his DNA!  His DNA was filled with love for his family, his church, the art scene, his professions and everything that makes the City the City.   I will cherish the time I spent with a real New Yorker and pray his family will remember and cherish what he brought all of us in his time among us.

I wanted to extend my deepest condolences to all of Joe's family and friends.  I worked with Joe and always found him extremely knowledgeable and more than willing to share his expertise.  He was a very kind and welcoming man, and I enjoyed every conversation I ever had with him.  He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Joseph A. Maffia

January 29, 1959 – August 15, 2025

Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel

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