Joseph Maniaci was my social studies teacher for both the 7th and 9th grades back in the 1970s at the Peconic St. Jr. High School. He mixed both sensitivity and strictness in his classes and most students loved and trusted him. I fondly remember him taking a slice of salami from my sandwiches from home and patting me on the back often. He was one of the best teachers and those who knew him are better for the experience. Rest In Peace Mr. Maniaci
He captured some amazing memories for the students here. I’m so lucky I was able to attend hin retirement ceremony. He will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss❤️
Teaching at RMS, Joe was such a kind and helpful colleague, always bringing a smile to everyone he met. His gift as an outstanding photographer was enjoyed and appreciated by all. May God bless his soul, and grant his family peace.
Heavenly wishes, Joe. I attended Connetquot High School with Joe, graduating in June of 1966. Joe was our Hero. We followed his play at every game, Home and Away. He walked the High School halls, and everyone made sure to congratulate him for his play. He was a generous and really lovely person. He made Hight School fun. Our sympathy for his wife and family. Go Thunderbirds. Ed and Diane (Pickering) Szynaka
So sad to hear about Mr. Maniaci’s passing, he was one of my favorite teachers. I was excited to go to his class everyday and he made me want to learn more about our history. I enjoyed being a part of the Yorker Club that he ran and was happy to see him still involved at school events in more recent years. He will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Joe was a very valued and loved member of the Connetquot community. His love of the students and dedication to the district will never be forgotten. My sincere condolences to the Maniaci family.
Diana and Family, Please know I am so saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a most valued friend and colleague. Joe’s communication skills after his retirement further proved his talent to work with students and adults and achieve excellent outcomes. The Connetquot community has lost another outstanding citizen.
Dear Beautiful Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences go out to all of you. The world lost a very special man. I am so thankful for the magical people he brought to this earth.
Love,
Melissa McMullan
May God give your family the strength to get through this very difficult time. So very sorry.
Coach would go out of his way to email me positive feedback of things he saw me do. I’ll never forget that and I’ll try to pay it forward.
So sorry for your loss of a great man.
Condolences to the entire Maniaci family on Joe’s passing. My children had him as a Social Studies teacher in RMS. What a nice person he was! Prayers to Diana, Ali and Philip and the grandchildren.
An incredible man who has left his mark on our community.
What a tremendous loss for the Connetquot family. My condolences to the family & all who are mourning the loss of this wonderful man.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m going to miss the great conversations and debates we always had. It was always a pleasure to see him and his big smiling face when I would come by. I will never forget him and will always keep our good times and laughs close to my heart.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was always a fun guy to have a great conversation with and that will be missed a lot. I will always keep him in my memories and prayers
Joe was a special human. We did team teaching together at Peconic and he was definitely a “team” player, always considering everyone. He was a true gentleman and a dedicated father, teacher and coach. Condolences to Diana , children and grandchildren.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Maniaci. He was my social studies teacher at Peconic in the early 70's and also helped out as a basketball coach. My dad and I used to go watch Dowling play when he was the assistant coach and he was always glad to see us in attendance and always came over to talk to my dad. I have many good memories of Mr. Maniaci. May he rest in peace knowing that he touched many individuals in a positive way during his life.
Joe was a great coach, a great friend, and a great teacher. He will be missed.
Never will forget the day I met Joe. I think it was 1964 0r 65 in the gym at Connetquot around the beginning of October during pre-basketball season. We were working out playing pickup games myself, Billy Hofmann, Tommy Hofmann, Dave, Dam Lendowski and a few others. We had heard about this "BIG GUY" transferring from Power Memorial. He was the "back up to Lou Alcindor" who went on to become Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He entered the gym a mountain man...like 6'5 and built like a fire hydrant! We started to play, and it wasn't long before WE KNEW we were going to be a great team! I tasted an elbow in the chest early on and made it my business not to try next year to guard him anymore! He could do anything on the court shoot it from far or rebound like an animal. He put CONNETQUOT on the map! Always a great team guy and a very good friend. Many years after we graduated, I was blessed to be nominated to be on THE WALL OF FAME! At the banquet he was one of the first to congratulate me. We remained distant friends for many years. Rest in Peace Joe!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
A wonderful kind neighbor as a young man,gifted in so many venues God Bless your
beautiful family as they welcome you home.
An incredible colleague, mentor and publicist. Joe always made sure everything I did with the student got in the paper. A charismatic, wonderful man who is already so missed in the Connetquot community.
I had the pleasure of not only having you as a teacher, but also seeing you over the years, whether it was when you visited the school house where I work or taking pictures on the field where my son played. You were always the most kindest, caring gentleman. I have one of your photos framed which will always remind me of the wonderful man you were. Condolences to all and may you Rest In Peace, Mr. Maniaci.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Jen DeStio lit a candle
Rest Peacefully Mr. Maniaci. Prayers and condolences to the family. ❤️
Joe was truly one of a kind! He was always so warm and kind when he came to photograph my drama club shows, fire department visits, and any time he came to my classroom to take photos of learning celebration activities. He will be truly missed- and remembered as an intelligent gentleman for the ages!!
He was a great guy and so sweet it was nice I got to talk to him once before I graduated
Such sad news. He was a lovely man. Both my children had him as a teacher
You will be missed by the whole Connetquot community. Your pictures, your actions, your service will always be remembered.
Very sadded by this. I played for Coach Maniaci back in the early 70's at Peconic. He was a great coach, teacher and mentor. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Rest in peace Coach!
In memory of a gentleman from his earliest days in Jackson Heights. RIP Joe, you gave love and now you are receiving eternal love. 92 Street never saw a kinder man.
Remembering Joe, a kind, caring person who always dedicated himself to the Connetquot community in every way. His kindness will always be remembered and he will be sorely missed. Sending all of our love and deepest sympathies.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Arianna Thompson lit a candle
This was a great man, always pleasant and a great asset to the Connetquot Community.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Carlson Family lit a candle
Sorry to hear this news. If you got my first message, I could not find it. Joe was the kindest and most gentle and gentlemanly person. I will miss him. I knew him since he was a student at Connetquot and a basketball player. I also knew him as a teacher and as a friend. I will miss seeing him at the C RTA Luncheons. My condolences and heartfelt thoughts to the family.
Joe was the kindest and most gentlemanly person. I knew him a long time, from the time he played basketball for Connetquot. My condolences and thoughts are with the family.
You will never be forgotten, my dear friend. Your love and legacy will live on in those you love. Rest in peace♥️
Fly high angel. You will truly be missed. Xoxo
He will be missed but never forgotten. May he Rest In Peace.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
So very sorry for your loss. Joe was a true gentleman and a scholar! He touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.
Kim Pepe
Joe was a student in my Marketing class. He came from New York City, Power's H.S.
He was the tallest young man in class and very polite. He was an outstanding basketball player at CHS and Dowling.. Joe would greet me at all the retirement
functions I attended and we talked. Love you Joe, forever
Rest in a peace dear friend and colleague Lorraine Heinlein Maloney
Joe had such a positive energy about him. He always had a huge smile and made the kids feel so important about whatever they were doing that he was coming in to document. He will be missed!
Phil, Deepest Sympathy to you and your family.
Although Mr. Maniaci was not my SS teacher while I was a student at Peconic Jr. High (now RMS) I had the pleasure of having him as a colleague while I was the speech therapist at RMS. After he retired and was the district photographer he always entered the schoolhouse with a smile making everyone who ran into him feel his sincerity and warmth. May you rest easily Mr. M and May your family and friends find comfort in their memories of time spent with you.
I will always remember our great conversations at work, and how I always looked forward to seeing him after he retired. My deepest condolences to the family.
Joe, you will be missed! Whenever you came into the schoolhouse to take pictures of the kids, you brought with you a huge smile and kind words. I have so enjoyed working with you over the years! God bless you and your family.
Such a loss - he is the true definition of a pillar of the community...he will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Joe’s family. What a wonderful man he was. He will be deeply missed. May he be at peace in the Lord’s name. Amen
I'm so sorry for the loss of such an amazing teacher and coach. We will all miss you. Rest peacefully Mr. Maniaci...
Joe was truly "Mr. T-Bird". As a former student, teacher, coach, and of course photographer Joe's life revolved around family and Connetquot. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to see him last year at the Connetquot vs. Newfield football game. I was able to introduce this legend to both my son and grandson. Joe will be missed, but fondly remembered by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. May flights of angels take him to his rest.
Joe was always so kind to us at the preschool. He would come in and take photos of the kids and tell us how much he loved the events we were doing. Just an amazingly kind person. He will surely be missed by so many. God bless him and his family.
I am sorry for your loss, he was such a huge part of the community.
May he Rest In Peace.
I’m am so sorry for your loss of your dad and I hope in time you have peace with his passing. For now I wish you only happy memories of each and every day with your dad that get you through this tough time! Prayers for your whole family in this very sad time.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Evelyn Kim Baumann and Family lit a candle
My deepest condolences to your family. Mr M. Was one of my favorite teachers in middle school. He was consistently happy, upbeat and loved being there. Made middle school years better! Many years have passed; however it only took a moment after learning of his passing for the memories of how, as an educator, he impacted those years of my life.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Stephanie Giaramita lit a candle
So very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I was a business teacher at the HS & began teaching the first day it opened in 1963. During the course of my tenure there for.25 years , I had the pleasure of having Joe as one of my students .
Eventually he returned to his alma mater and taught at Connetquot as well. We used to have such laughs over the fact that he was now my equal. He was such a delight and had a great sense of humor. In the course of 25 years a lot of students cross your path, but not all of them leave an imprint in your heart like Joe did. He will be sorely missed by those who.knew him
My sincere condolences to his family and friends
I only knew him briefly during our time at the Arbors when I took the children to play bingo. He was a kind sweet and patient gentleman while taking photos. Bless your soul.
Such an exceptional man. Touched so many lives. My heartfelt condolences to the entire Maniaci family. It was such an honor and pleasure to know and work with him. God Bless you and may the angels lead you into paradise.
Condolences to you all and may he rest in peace and always remember the memories
I am so very sorry for your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Mr maniaci will live forever in each of our hearts, growing up with his presence in the schools let alone the district has been a pleasure. May he rest peacefully, my condolences to his family.
Love,
Nicole Murphy
Class of 2012
My condolences to the family. I fondly remember Mr. Maniaci and he will be missed! I will miss all his Connetquot updates on our page. May he rest in peace.
Thank you for being a light for all of Connetquot, and a role model for all of us. ❤️
We send our deepest sympathies to the entire Maniaci family and to all our community members. RIP and may God grant your family peace in this difficult time
I am sorry sorry to hear about Joe's passing, and I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his large and loving family. Joe was was an outstanding teacher in every way...dedicated, well-organized, and meticulous. He had an incredible way of breathing life and perspective into world history and current events. For me, he was inspirational. I grew up without a father, and for me Joe was an important role model, through his always kind, thoughtful and caring example. He will be missed so much, but I know that his influence will always be with me.
In memory of Joseph
D.
Maniaci, Andrea baatz miloro lit a candle
A T-Bird forever. You will be sorely missed. Will miss seeing you at all the games taking your fabulous pictures. Rest easy my friend. It has been my absolute pleasure knowing/working with you!
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.