Emil Massaro

Waynesville - Emil Massaro, 93, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013. He was born on July 20, 1920 in L'Aquila, Italy. Emil was the third child born to Madelena and Ferdinando Massaro. He came to America in 1939 and served in the US Army during World War II. He was a visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. He started his first business, a grocery store in Youngstown, Ohio in his early twenties. In the years that followed, he started a wholesale paper company and discount stores in Michigan. In the late 60's, he moved to Florida and was a real estate developer of office buildings, shopping centers and a hotel. Emil moved to Waynesville in the late 70's and continued to work as a real estate developer. He created Whispering Woods At Sanctuary Cove, and The Smoky Mountain Sanctuary. Emil was one-of-a-kind, a self–made, charismatic man who made a lasting impression on everyone who met him. He was a loving husband and father to his 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grand daughters. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Nina Fiocca Massaro; five children, Fred Massaro, Susan Massaro McFarland and husband Sam, Emil Massaro Jr. and wife Carol, Laura Massaro and husband David Myers, and Payton Beutler; seven grandchildren; Emile Massaro, Shane McFarland and wife Autumn, Amanda McFarland, Chloe Massaro Beutler, Kyle McFarland, Anna McFarland, and Anthony Massaro; two great-granddaughters; Emersyn Lilly Massaro Beutler and Della Rose McFarland. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. In lieu of flowers, a fund that will help provide education and a service dog for Emil's great-granddaughter Emersyn Lilly Massaro Beutler has been set up in his honor and memory. Checks can be sent to Edward Jones in Waynesville 15 Woodland Dr. Waynesville, NC 28786. (828)452-4048.

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