Emil Vincent Masto

Emil Vincent Masto, 84, of Gaithersburg, MD, formerly of Amsterdam, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was born in Jeannette, PA August 14, 1925 a son of the late Emil and Laura E. Seymour Masto. Emil spent most of his early years residing in the Amsterdam area. He served his country during the WWII era with the US ARMY Air Corps in the mid 1940's. Emil loved to skydive in his earlier years and had even obtained his Private Pilot's License. He was also a former member of the Pelican Skydiving Club. He married the former Palma Martello of Amsterdam on July 3, 1949. A short time later, the family relocated to the state of Maryland where Emil purchased a printing business in Rockville called the Copy Shop. Over the next several years this business became Emil's passion in life where he took pride in his careful management and knowledge of it. His loving family includes his daughters Laura Fiege and husband John of Jacksonville, FL, Kristine Hames and husband Ken of Gaithersburg, MD, and Karen Tate of Frederick, MD, his sisters Virginia Kosineski-Brach of Adamstown, MD, Sarah Stradone and husband George of Wheaton, MD and Laura Brach of Ballston Lake, NY, his brothers Paul Masto and wife Tilda of Amsterdam, NY and Clarence Masto and wife Pat of Amsterdam, NY, and sisters-in-law Fanny Masto of Amsterdam, NY and Anne Manginelli of Cohoes, NY. Seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. In addition to his parents, Emil, was predeceased by his wife Palma Masto in 1996, and a brother, Howard Masto. A Prayer Service will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY followed by the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00AM at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, East Main Street, Amsterdam with Fr. John Medwid as celebrant. Committal Prayers will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery Chapel with full Military Honors. The family will receive relatives and friends prior to services from 10:00 to 10:30AM Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Emil's memory may be made to the David Masto Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home.