Joshua Makanoff

Joshua Harold Makanoff, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and step- grandfather, was known for his hearty laugh and kind disposition. He was beloved by his family, friends, co-workers and customers. He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931 and grew up in Flushing, Queens with his father Max, stepmother Helen and sister Sylvia. He went to Stuyvesant HS and Brooklyn College. An Air Force Korean war veteran, he earned the rank of Staff Sgt, and became an instructor for an aircraft navigation system while stationed at Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, AK.

After his Air Force service he moved to Brooklyn, then to Yonkers, then to Ossining. He was a member of the Masons and was installed as a Master Mason in the late 1960's. He also had the unusual honor of installing his father as a Master Mason.

After his time in the Air Forces, he worked with his father Max, restoring retail businesses to profitability. They owned a delicatessen, a stationary store, a luncheonette and many others. In 1965 he opened a bookstore in White Plains, which evolved into Main Street Books, a children's book wholesale business. The book business was his passion for six decades. He loved the book business and was proud to supply books for children through schools and book fairs. He also enjoyed sailing, travelling and keeping up with current events.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Annette, daughter-in-law Linda, grandchildren Nathan, David, Daisy, Max, granddaughter-in-law Pamela, stepson Scott, stepdaughters Trish and Lisa, stepdaughter-in-law Cam, step grand daughters Caroline and Lorelei, and step grandsons Michael John, Jacob and Atticus.

He lost his wife Norma and sons David and Richard to Marfan Syndrome, a genetic, connective tissue disorder. Please make a donation to the Marfan Foundation in lieu of flowers at marfan.org in memory of Harold, Norma, David and Richard Makanoff.

Funeral Services for Joshua will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 10:30AM at the Riverside Memorial Chapel - Hawthorne, 100 Saw Mill River Rd, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Following Services, interment will be at the Wellwood Cemetery, 1400 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704. For any additional information, please contact the Riverside Memorial Chapel at 914-664-6800.