Nicholas D. Mastronardi

Nicholas D. Mastronardi, a philanthropist who had served as the economic adviser to the Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer to the Holy See to the United Nations, died Aug. 18 at Calvary Hospital. He was 75.

Cardinal Dolan celebrated the Funeral Mass Aug. 22 at SS. John and Paul Church in Larchmont, where Mastronardi was a parishioner.

He served as president and trustee of the Charles A. Mastronardi Foundation and enjoyed a distinguished career in the financial services industry for more than 40 years. He was associated with Merrill Lynch for 38 years, last serving as a senior vice president.

Mr. Mastronardi exemplified a life of devotion to helping others, in service to numerous charitable organizations. He focused his philanthropy and charitable work on hospitals, colleges, religious congregations and care giving organizations. They included: Calvary Hospital, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, the Inner City Scholarship Fund, Our Lady of Mercy Health Care System, the College of Mount St. Vincent, the Sisters of Life, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New York.

He served as chair and honorary chair of the Sharing Hope Celebration Dinners for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

In recognition of his distinguished service and noble works, Mr. Mastronardi was the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Medal of the Venerable Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, awarded by St. John Paul II; the Graymoor Award for Community Service by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement; honoree of the College of Mount St. Vincent Scholarship Tribute Dinner; Distinguished Benefactor of the Path to Peace Foundation; St. Nicholas Award at the Cardinal’s Christmas Luncheon; and the Child of Peace Award by the Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau.

The Mastronardi Foundation Residence Hall at the College of Mount St. Vincent was dedicated in honor of him and his wife Valerie in 2007.

Mr. Mastronardi was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit, Cav. Di Gran Croce. In June he was decreed an affiliate member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

Born in Brooklyn, he graduated from Boston College and served in the U.S. Army. He married Valerie Panarello in 1961. They raised four children in Mamaroneck.

Along with his wife, he is survived by his sons, Nicholas and Edward; daughters, Kathryn Mastronardi Davis and Valerie Mastronardi; and 10 grandchildren. A sister, Margaret Rocco, preceded him in death. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.