Joseph W. Muscato, 88, of Dunkirk passed peacefully Monday afternoon (February 27, 2023) in Buffalo, following a brief illness, with his loving family by his side.
He was born June 3, 1934, in Dunkirk, the son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Privateer) Muscato.
After attending St. Mary’s Academy, Joe worked in construction and then went on to get his cosmetology license from Doyle Beauty School in Buffalo. He joined his wife, Sallie, to own and operate The Studio Hair Shop on Central Ave., in Dunkirk, for 61 years. He was a past president of the NYS Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Association of Dunkirk, Fredonia and surrounding areas.
Joe enjoyed playing baritone horn for the marching band, The Flying Dutchman, for many years. He loved Sunday pasta with family, working out at Darwin’s Health club, scratch tickets, playing poker, listening to jazz music, vacationing in Florida and having coffee with his many friends. Known unofficially as, “The Mayor of Central Avenue”, he made friends wherever he went. Joe was always upbeat and positive about life, loved a good joke and was always smiling. He had an uncanny ability to remember dates, events and people’s names and he was a gifted storyteller. His forever love, Sallie, was usually by his side attending all his children and grandchildren’s many sporting events, musicals, band shows, recitals, and art exhibits. He loved the Buffalo Bills and had many picnics at his home on Birchwood Drive, entertaining the football players. He was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church all his life and served as an usher. He also served on the West Dunkirk Zoning Board for a few years.
Survivors include his wife, Sallie (Densmore) Muscato, whom he married October 21, 1961; a daughter, Kristin M. (Roger) Britz of Fredonia; one brother, Robert “Bob” Muscato of Dunkirk; a sister in-law, Kathleen Muscato of Dunkirk; a sister and brother in-law, Deborah and Ralph Vandaveer of Florida; six grandchildren: Sky Dalrymple of the United Kingdom, Bodhi Dalrymple of Dunkirk, Taylor Britz of Brooklyn, N.Y., Sen Dalrymple of Dunkirk, Calan Britz of Fredonia and Anna Dalrymple of Oklahoma; one niece, Yvonne (Mike) Burgun of Brocton; four nephews, Ronald (Kim) Mitchell of Portand, N.Y., James Muscato of Dunkirk, Jonathan (Sarah) Muscato of Dunkirk and Jeffrey Muscato of Colorado; a great niece, Carly (Al) Davis of Dewittville and two great nephews, Brandon (Tara) Mitchell of Maryland and Michael Angelo Mitchell of Dunkirk plus many cousins.
Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Deena Rae Muscato Dalrymple, his brother James Muscato, a nephew, Michael Mitchell, and sister and brother in-law, Sandra and Ronald Mitchell.
Calling hours will be held Friday, March 10, from 4-7 p.m., at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 11, at 10 a.m., at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
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