Joseph N. & Concetta A. Longo Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joseph N. Longo was born on October 20, 1923 in Carolina, RI and grew up in Bloomfield, NJ. During WWII he served with the US Army 263rd Infantry (Panther) Division in Europe. As a Staff Sergeant, he was noted for his courage, devotion to duty, and his ability to carry out each assignment through successful completion. Because of his leadership, they had very few casualties and he became an inspiration to his men. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in connection with military operations in Brittany, France.

While on leave from the service, he visited Wakefield and met his future wife, Concetta Cicciarella. They corresponded during his time in Europe and became engaged upon his return to the USA. They were married at St. Joseph’s Church, on June 22, 1947 and settled in Wakefield. In 1949 their daughter, Jean was born.

Joe was active in the town’s softball league. He was a member of the Wakefield VFW, Saugus VFW, Wakefield Elks, St. Joseph’s Church, an avid walker and golfer. He worked at his brother & sister-in laws clothing factory before taking a position as a clerk at the Wakefield Post Office which he retired from in 1987.

Joe was a big supporter of education, sports, and the arts as well. He and Connie were very involved in their daughter’s activities and would later continue that involvement with their grandchildren’s activities including going to many WHS band trips and concerts. When his grandchildren got older, he even went to events at their colleges. They always stressed to their grandchildren how important it was to get a good education.

Unfortunately, while he and Connie were out for a walk along beautiful Lake Quannapowitt on March 30, 2005, a car tragically struck them–Joe was killed instantly and Connie badly injured. She said she was saved because he pushed her out of the way. According to his family, “he was not your average Joe”.