Obituary of José A. Nazario

José Nazario was born on Aril 17, 1939 in Puerto Rico. He passed away on September 9, 2021, after battling a short illness. He emigrated from Puerto Rico with his mother when he was six years old. The oldest of 10 children, he grew up in the Latino section of Rockaway, Queens, where they lived with José’s grandparents. He graduated from Far Rockaway High School in 1957. After serving in the United States Army, José worked for Manufacturer’s Trust Co., where he met his future wife, Therese Aruta. He attended Brooklyn College at night and earned his B.A. degree in Social Work. He later received his Maters of Social Work degree from Fordham University. José worked for the legal division of Mobilization for Youth, in the Lower East Side for 25 years, before retiring in 2001. Mr. Nazario’s dedication to issues and concerns to Latino communities led him to create two nationally recognized agencies. He was one of the pioneer board members of the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, which advocates the welfare of underprivileged children and families. He is also the Founding Board Chair of the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, the state’s first not-for -profit child welfare agency for Latino families, which today provides services to Latino children and families and other populations in communities where significant numbers of families live below the poverty level. José has served as a member of the Mayor’s Commission for the Foster Care of Children, The NYC Department of Juvenile Justice Ombudsman Review Board, HRS’s Advisory Board, and was the Treasurer of MFY Group Child Care Center for 20 years. Additionally, José was a member of the Manhattan Borough President’s Latino Advisory Group, the NYC Public Advocate’s Child Planning and Advocacy Now Project (C-Plan) and the Regional Coordinating Council for the Migrant Head Start, Washington, D.C. José is proud to have been married to his wife Terri for 56 years, and is also survived by his siblings Michael Pizzaro, Charlotte Zayas, Frank Pizzaro, Judy Burgos, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Tuesday, 9/14, departing at 9:15 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church at 10:00 am. Private cremation will follow. Family and friends may visit on Monday, 9/13, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm.