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IN MEMORIAM: FRANCIS J. (FRANK) MASTOLONI May 15, 2013 (0 comments)
New York, NY—Francis J. Mastoloni, known to friends and colleagues as Frank, died May 9 following a lengthy illness. He was 86.
A world-renowned expert in pearls, Mastoloni was born June 27, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating from St. Francis Prep high school in Brooklyn, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from 1944 to 1946. Upon his return from service, he attended Fordham University, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in business administration, and he remained a lifelong supporter of the school.
In 1952, shortly after graduating from college, Mastoloni made a multi-week trip to Tokyo, Japan—one that would both set the stage for his career, and one that would be repeated many times over the years. He, together with his brothers, would grow Mastoloni Pearls into one of the industry’s leading cultured pearl suppliers.
Mastoloni served as president of the Cultured Pearl Association and was a regular guest speaker at the Gemological Institute of America. In 1975, the government of China—then a closed nation—invited him to consult on its nascent jewelry and pearl industry.
Mastoloni also visited Burma (now Myanmar) on an annual basis for 25 years, where he received a special award from the government in recognition for his contributions to business there, especially the pearl and jade auctions. His wife, Maryann Paradise Mastoloni, accompanied him on many of these trips, including the trip to China in 1975 and on a 1987 trip to Burma that was the focus of a feature in National Geographic magazine.
In his non-working hours, Mastoloni was an avid reader, especially of U.S. history and finance, and he enjoyed raising roses and tomatoes in his garden.
Mastoloni is survived his wife of 54 years, Maryann; three children and their spouses, Francis and Libby Mastoloni of Rye, NY, Barbara and Russell Jagoe of Newtown, CT, and Richard and Nora Mastoloni of Harrison, NY; and seven grandchildren. He also is survived by three brothers, Ralph, Raymond, and Edward Mastoloni; a sister, Rita Rottmund; and sisters-in-law Carol and Judith Mastoloni.
Memorial contributions in Frank Mastoloni’s name may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or the Covenant House, 460 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036.