Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Joe Masters
By Pat Hurleigh
Joe Masters: A Life of Commitment, Resilience, and Community
This week, Marilyn Holland and I had the pleasure of visiting Joe Masters, a longtime East Williston resident, in the home he has cherished for over five decades. Welcomed by Joe and his wife, Ann, we settled into their warm and inviting living room, the fireplace crackling beside us, as he shared his incredible life journey.
From Humble Beginnings to a Life Well-Lived
Born in 1943 in Manhattan, Joe was the youngest foster child in a large family. Though his oldest brother, Harry, recently passed at 95, Joe remains close to his nieces and nephews, who still gather for reunions.
Joe pursued mechanical engineering at NYCC, and it was during this time, in 1965, that he met Ann—though she wasn’t the date he originally arrived with! At the time, Ann was attending St. John’s School of Nursing, and their first date at the World’s Fair in Queens led to an elopement in 1966.
Like many young men of his generation, Joe was drafted into the military after college. He served at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where his specialty in plumbing kept him stateside during the Vietnam War. Though grateful to avoid combat, his housing situation was far from glamorous—a small, air-conditioner-free trailer off-post.
Building a Family & a Home in East Williston
In 1967, Joe and Ann welcomed their first child, Michael, while living in Richmond Hill, Queens. As their family grew, adding Patty and Joe Jr., they moved to Woodhaven before setting their sights on East Williston.
Through an acquaintance, Joe learned about the charm of the village but quickly realized homeownership there was financially out of reach. Determined to make it happen, he asked his boss for a raise—and it worked. In 1970, they purchased their home for $43,000, a house built in 1938 that needed some work but became their forever home. All three children thrived in East Williston schools, excelling as student-athletes, and today, Joe proudly has four grandchildren—all in college.
A Witness to History & Service to His Community
On September 11, 2001, Joe was in downtown NYC, witnessing firsthand the devastation of that tragic day. He remembers the smoke, fire, and chaos—a scene forever etched in history. He escaped the city on a ferry to Glen Cove, but the experience left a lasting impact. Today, he faces health challenges related to 9/11, requiring a brace on his leg to help him walk.
Despite these difficulties, Joe has always been dedicated to community service. He was a volunteer firefighter with the East Williston Fire Department for 15 years, served as a village trustee for four years, and dedicated 17 years as the director of the East Williston Library. His commitment to the village has shaped the tight-knit community that so many cherish today.
Enjoying Life at Home
Now, Joe spends his days day trading in his home office, reading mystery novels by Balducci and Tom Clancy, and enjoying quiet moments in his wingback chair by the fireplace. While mobility can be a challenge, he takes walks when the weather is nice, often seen relaxing on his front porch in the summer, enjoying the company of longtime friends and new neighbors alike.
Joe Masters is a true pillar of East Williston, embodying resilience, service, and community spirit. We are grateful for his dedication and the countless ways he has contributed to making our village a better place.
