Salvatore Joseph Bilello

Salvatore Joseph Bilello, aka Joe Bilello, a longtime resident of Oceanside, NY passed away Wednesday August 26 of natural causes at Stony Brook University Hospital. He was born March 9, 1922 in Brooklyn and moved his family to Oceanside in 1960. He is survived by his 10 children, Joseph of Highland Park, NJ, Joanne Critelli of Huntington, Darrell of Smithtown, Michael of Oceanside, Marguerite Correia of Mattapoisett, MA, Deirdre Dutka of Valley Forge, PA, Sharon Utegaard of Tucson, AZ, James of Lynbrook, Regina of Oceanside and John of Port Jefferson Station, by his siblings Bertha Hannigan and Helen Scipione and by 21 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife of 48 years Marguerite (Flaherty), by his parents Giuseppe and Giuseppina, and siblings Lucy Walsh, Sam and Sylvester (Sid).

A lifelong Catholic, he was a long term parishioner of St. Anthony RC church in Oceanside and was member of the Knights of Columbus there. He was a member of the VFW in Oceanside, the Marine Corps League, and the American Legion.

Mr. Bilello is a graduate of Boys High School and Seton Hall University. He served as a NYPD police officer for 25 years where he was very involved in the Police Athletic League in the 88th precinct in Brooklyn, retiring in 1976. He had a lifelong passion for athletics and served as a basketball coach at Pratt Institute and as a physical education teacher at St, Anthonys (Oceanside), St. Josephs (Hewlett), St. Joachim (Cedarhurst) and St. Ignatius (Long Beach) and served many years as a Nassau County varsity high school official (referee) of baseball, basketball, football, soccer and softball. He received special recognition for 50 years of officiating by the Nassau County Basketball Association.

He enlisted in the armed forces in 1942 and served in WWII. As a Corporal in the 2nd Marine division he fought in the Battle of Tarawa, one of the most notorious and strategically significant battles of the war. Forced by coral reefs to disembark hundreds of yards off the beach, the Marines became highly vulnerable targets for enemy fire. In spite of mounting losses, the Marines fought a gallant battle against crushing odds, clearing the beachheads of snipers and machine guns, reducing powerfully fortified enemy positions and completely annihilating the fanatically determined and strongly entrenched Japanese forces. Mr. Bilello was in the first wave to assault the beach and attended to many fallen comrades in the aftermath of the four day battle. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their sacrifice and accomplishment.

After the war he met Marguerite Ann Flaherty, also of Brooklyn, and they married in 1948. After starting their family in Brooklyn they moved to Oceanside in 1960. The couple raised 10 children, all of whom graduated from college.

A dedicated Family Man, he was devoted to his wife and children, providing them with a lifetime of wonderful memories. One of his passions was singing, and he was often the life-of-the-party, crooning to songs from the great American songbook with a seemingly unlimited memory of lyrics and tunes. His children recall the many road trips where the music was not from the radio but Dad's singing.

Beyond what Joe accomplished and experienced in his lifetime, his greatest legacy is his demonstration of integrity, honesty, passion for life, and love of God, Country and Family. All who knew and loved him will sorely miss him.

Services will be held at Towers Funeral Home, 2681 Long Beach Rd. Oceanside, NY 11572. Visiting hours are 2 – 4 PM and 7PM – 9PM Saturday and Sunday. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:45 AM Monday at St. Anthony RC Church in Oceanside.