Longtime Massapequa Resident Joan Conte Fought For Her Family

Joan Walker Conte, a longtime Massapequa resident who fought to give her children the advantages she never had, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 16. She was 75.

“Mom was my first best friend," said her son, Robert Conte. “She was my primary parent, protector and inspiration. My early childhood was truly happy, thanks to her love, strength and great cooking!”

Conte was born in Philadelphia, Penn., on July 9, 1943 to parents Coretha and Robert Walker (who served in the United States Army during that time). After her parents separated, Conte (with her older brother Robert) moved to various places throughout New York City before permanently settling on Long Island in the 1960s.

“Mom wanted to be a professional print model and did all the work required to become one,” Robert Conte said. “However, as an Afro-Irish American during an intolerant time in our country, her career aspirations were unjustly quashed because she was ‘different.’ Today, I have no doubt
she would have been a superstar!”

The only thing she wanted more than being a cover girl was to be a mother. From 1970-72, she had three sons and refused to allow them to be limited by the glass ceiling that had kept her down.

“We lived in East Massapequa and, during the 1970s, minorities were unwelcome in our own public-school district,” said Robert. “Mom made sure my brothers and I were educated through prestigious schools like Maria Montessori (Levittown), St. Rose of Lima (Massapequa) and, in my case, St. Anthony’s High School (Huntington Station). Her will power is why I am uniquely educated and reached my professional goal to become a published author. Because of her persistence, I am who I am today.”

Conte is survived by her three children — Robert, David and Anthony — and her grandchildren —Victor, Daniel, Liliana, Anthony, Cameron and Nicholas.

“I will be forever grateful to Mom for her fight to open the door of opportunity for her children, grandchildren and future generations of our family,” Robert said.

In lieu of flowers, the Conte family requests donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the American Red Cross.