Community Corner
Marine Surprises His Mom In Long Island Homecoming Video: Watch
Corporal Joseph A. Hobbins had not seen his mom in more than 900 days. Watch their reunion in the story.
![Corporal Joseph A. Hobbins on Thursday surprised his mom, Paula DiMeo Stayne, of Kings Park, who he had not seen for more than 900 days.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20220722/043620/styles/patch_image/public/kingspark-veteran___22163117454.jpg)
KINGS PARK, NY — A corporal in the U.S. Marines surprised his mom on Thursday after they had not seen each other for more than 900 days.
Corporal Joseph A. Hobbins, a graduate of Northport High School, returned to Long Island to surprise his mother, Paula DiMeo Stayne, while wearing a Santa Claus costume.
Hobbins was unable to go home because of the coronavirus pandemic and had not seen his mother in roughly two-and-a-half years.
Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Honestly, I didn’t even connect it until I started staring at him and thought, 'What a skinny Santa,'" DiMeo Stayne told Patch. "Then the beard fell and I was stunned. I was overcome with happiness. I didn’t think I was going to see him for another year. He recently re-enlisted so I just assumed I’d have to wait until he was back in the states."
Corporal Joseph A. Hobbins, donning a Santa Claus suit, had not seen his mother, Paula DiMeo Stayne, in more than 900 days. Watch the emotional reunion here. 🎥: Video courtesy of Paula DiMeo Stayne and family
Posted by Kings Park Patch on Friday, July 22, 2022
The reunion was arranged by DiMeo Stayne's son-in-law, Ryan Jones, who owns Chubs Meats in Medford. DiMeo Stayne said she is "beyond grateful" to Jones for setting the reunion up.
Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"This man has a heart of gold. I’m still stunned and in shock," she said.
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20220722/043157/styles/raw/public/processed_images/Resized_Resized_20220721_201941.jpeg)
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20220722/043335/styles/raw/public/processed_images/IMG_3004.jpeg)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.