Joseph Paternostro, Sr.

Born in New Orleans, Joe lived most of his life in Metairie, LA. Joe was a military Veteran who served during the Korean War in the U.S. Navy. He was also a member of the Beachmaster Unit 1, whose members continued to meet annually for many years after their service. He was always proud of his country and that he could honorably serve. Joe and Louise were devout Catholics and were parishioners of St. Christopher the Martyr Church in Metairie.

Joe was a Culinary Arts graduate from Delgado Community College. He was the proud Co-Owner and the driving force and success of Gambino’s Bakeries. It gave him great pride that most of the delicious confectionery products were of his own making and put many of smiles on many New Orleanian’s faces. Who hasn’t had a Gambino’s Chocolate Doberge Cake? When Joe retired and sold to the current owners, he said, “I just burned the last King Cake and never looked back!”

Joe and Louise’s Italian heritage would come out as soon as you would walk through the door. Everyone ate Italian, especially during the Irish Italian Parade and Mardi Gras. They lived one block off the parade route and was known as the place to go for all the parades. Joe and Louise would cook enough meatballs and spaghetti and Italian salad to feed a small army. Everyone was always welcomed and anyone who came to Joe and Louise’s home for the parades left with great memories and a full stomach.

Joseph is survived by his daughters, Lynn P. Hodgson (Charles) and Anna P. Lucurto (Kelley); sons, Luke A. Paternostro (Jennifer) and Joseph X. Paternostro (Connie); grandchildren, Charles Hodgson IV (Kaeli), Kelley Lucurto Jr. (Rachel), Jules Lachney III (Amanda), Brittany Paternostro Brown (Ryan), Joey Lucurto (Scarlett), Joannah Cathcart (Brandon), Luke Paternostro Jr. (Bernadette), Joshua Paternostro (Caroline), Rita Lucurto (Dean), and Matthew Paternostro (MiMi); his great-grandchildren, Collin Vial, Aidan Orr, Gage Cathcart, Harlie Lachney, Luke and Noah Paternostro, Stella Lucurto, Zoey Hodgson, Brooklyn and Kaitlyn Brown and Cameron Lucurto; and his sisters, Frances Perret (Gerald) and Bonita Graff.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Louise Ricks Paternostro; his parents, Luke and Anna Rita Paternostro; sisters, Rita Paternostro and Nina Mistich; and his brother, Barney Paternostro.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass to be celebrated in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until Mass. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at lakelawnmetairie.com.