Mauro Frencesco Giuffrida, 74, passed away on January 20, 2017 at NYU Langone Medical Center after a courageous six- year battle with cancer. His beloved wife of 49 years, Carla, was by his side.

Born in Brooklyn on August 25, 1942, Mauro was the first child of Francesco and Dolores Giuffrida. He graduated from California State University at Northridge with a Bachelors of Art and from Pratt Institute with a Masters of Fine Art. After teaching at Pratt, Mauro made a career as a master lithographer and abstract painter.

With his Atelier on Canal Street, a short distance from the World Trade Center, Mauro was an eyewitness to the 9/11 attacks. It was a tragedy that would change him, both emotionally and physically, forever. In an effort to honor those affected by the tragedy, and to ensure that the day would never be forgotten, Mauro was a leading force in the motivation and design behind the 9/11 memorial that now stands in his beloved home of Eldred, NY.

Mauro and his college sweetheart, Carla Lindsay Faust, were married on September 9, 1967. He was larger than life, always the center of the party, with a deep affinity for all things Sicilian. An avid fly fisherman and pizza maker, Mauro was the happiest when surrounded by his friends and family. Predeceased by his father and mother, he is survived by his wife, Carla; his sister Linda Guiffreda-Baker; his daughters Sophia Meehleib and Lindsay Giuffrida; his son Mauro; and his grandchildren Natasha, Isabella, Liviana and Owen.

Mauro is a legend, a warrior, and truly one-of-a-kind. He had a huge heart and cared deeply about his friends and his community. His spirit and zest for life brought joy to all he met, brightened every room he entered, and made any dinner party the event of the week. Mauro truly made the world a better place; he will be missed forever.

Mauro will be buried in his adopted home town of Eldred, NY. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to Trout Unlimited https://gifts.tumembership.org/donate or The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund www.familiesoffreedom.org/support.php.