Francis J. (Frank) Mastoloni

Francis J. (Frank) Mastoloni passed away peacefully at his home on May 9th, 2013. He is survived by his adoring wife of fifty four years, Maryann, their three children and their spouses, Francis and Libby Mastoloni of Rye NY, Barbara and Russell Jagoe of Newtown, CT and Richard and Nora Mastoloni of Harrison NY and their seven grandchildren, Allison, James, Jillian, Emily, Lindsey, Lauren and Hudson. He is also survived by his brothers, Ralph Mastoloni, Raymond and Carol Mastoloni, Edward and Judith Mastoloni and his sister, Rita Rottmund, and her deceased husband John. Frank was born on June 27, 1926 to Frank and Adele Mastoloni of Brooklyn New York. He graduated high school at St. Francis Prep in Brooklyn and then served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. Frank entered Fordham University at Rose Hill where he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration. He would go on to be a supporter of Fordham throughout his life. On June 20th 1959 Frank married Maryann Paradise, also of Brooklyn NY, and together they shared fifty four years of marriage. This union provided the stability, education and leadership that would nourish the growth of a large extended family as well as a successful business. Frank started his business career directly out of college in 1952 with what was, at that time, a multi-week trip to Tokyo Japan, a trip he would continue to take throughout his career. As President of Frank Mastoloni Pearls for almost fifty six years, he, alongside his brother's, catapulted Mastoloni Pearls into one of the largest and respected purveyors of cultured pearls in the country. Frank was widely considered to be one of the few true experts on Pearls as well as the forefather of the American cultured pearl business. Frank Mastoloni was also a past President of the Cultured Pearl Association of America and a routine guest speaker at the Gemological Institute of America. Throughout his life his passion for his business would lead him to many countries around the world. In 1975 he was invited by the then closed Government of China to consult on their developing jewelry industry. He was accompanied on this and many of his trips by his wife Maryann. They traveled to Myanmar (formerly Burma) for twenty five straight years, receiving an award of recognition from the government. Their 1987 trip was featured in National Geographic as significant contributors to the Burma Pearl and Jade auctions. An avid reader of books, newspapers and financial publications, Frank also developed an expertise in American history and a passion for investing in the stock market. Frank maintained lasting friendships with people from all over the world. He also enjoyed taking his wife, children and grandchildren on many adventures. Frank's other passions were eating home cooked meals and tending to his garden, where roses and tomatoes were among his favorites. Frank's life was based on his family, his company and his friends. We will be thankful for years to come for all he has given us and we will miss him dearly. Mass of Catholic burial will be celebrated Monday May 13, 2013 at 10:00AM at St. Pius X Church, 91 Secor Road Scarsdale, NY 10583. Friends and family may call from 2-4 and 7-9pm Sunday, May 12, 2013 at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 2 Maple Avenue at South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601. Interment will be in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Frank's name may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or the Covenant House, 460 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036.