Joseph Masnaghetti

Joseph L. Masnaghetti III of Port Washington, formerly of Cedarburg, died at home Tuesday, Oct. 23. He was 65.

Mr. Masnaghetti was born in Portage on Feb. 16, 1953, to Joseph Jr. and Elenore Sarbacker Masnaghetti. The family lived in Hawaii before settling in Cedarburg.  He graduated from Cedarburg High

School, in 1972 before serving briefly in the U.S. Navy.

On June 21, 1978, he married Mary Steffen in Waubeka.

The couple lived in Cedarburg and had two daughters, Haley and Linda.  Mr. Masnaghetti worked in the pyrotechnics industry for more than 40 years, most recently with J&M Displays since 2001.  He was a member of the Pyrotechnics Guild International.  

He was also a history buff and enjoyed TV, historical movies and documentaries.

Mr. Masnaghetti is survived by his daughters Haley (Jeffrey) Peterson of Cedarburg and Linda (Ronin) Bartels of Port Washington; grandchildren Jack, Henry and Violet; former wife Mary Steffen of Sheboygan; sister Jackie Stowell of Cuba City, brother Harold “Tom” (Ellen) Masnaghetti.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Jim Stowell.

A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington.

Memorials are suggested to the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Ozaukee County.