Who is Joe Luistro

Joe was born in Toronto, Canada.
He was raised in Jersey City.
Joe graduated from St. Joseph’s Grammar School and Hudson Catholic High School; He was a 1991 graduate of Rutgers University, completing a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice and a Certificate in Criminology.
In 1993, Joe was hired by the Rutgers University Police Department – New Brunswick Campus and served in the Patrol Division where He was a Field Training Officer.
In 1999, Joe joined the rank and file of the Edison Police Department, where he served in Patrol, Traffic Safety and Recruitment and was assigned to the local DEA Task Force.

As a Field Training Officer, Joe he mentored and guided rookie officers.
In 2016, Joe was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he served as Supervisor in the Patrol Division.
Joe was a member of PBA Local 75 and was the recipient of both the Silver Life and Gold Life Medals of Honor.
Joe was the first Asian American police officer and police supervisor in the history of the Edison Police Department.

He was also a long-time member of the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Association where he served as an Executive Board member for many years, as well as President from 2008 until his retirement in 2020.
Joe was instrumental in diversifying police departments throughout the State of New Jersey.Joe was also a member of The National Asian Peace Officers Association where he served as Vice President from 2005 through 2009.
Upon his retirement, Joe felt the desire to serve the community on a broader scale and decided to run as an Edison Council Candidate in 2021.
Joe was a familiar face along with his daughters at the Yvonne’s School of Dance in Edison.
He was a true “Dance Dad” where he participated in Daddy-Daughter dances, even performing on his battery powered scooter, and was awarded by the studio as an “Honorary Dance Dad”.

Joe also had a 34-year career as a real estate salesperson.
In 1990 he began his career at Williamson Realty in Piscataway, NJ and moved on to Coldwell Banker in Metuchen, NJ.
He helped countless families achieve the American dream of home ownership.
Joe was a long-time parishioner of St. Matthew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church where he was a member of the St. Matthew Philippine American Association.
Joe served as an Executive Board Member of the Association from 2010 until the time of his passing.
Joe was an exemplary role model.

Joseph Vincent Luistro, 55, from Edison passed away on January 18, 2024, at home with his loving family by his side following a valiant battle with ALS. Predeceased by his father, Dante V. Luistro, Joe is survived by his loving wife, Maria Mildred Luistro, RN; his mother Julieta O. Luistro, RN; daughters, Hannah and Jessica; sister Jennifer Luistro Pring; brother, Jaydee Luistro and his wife, Melona, and his niece, Mikayla Pring (https://www.boylanfh.com/obituaries/Joseph-Vincent-Luistro?obId=31731975).

What is Mac Angels Foundation

The MAC Angels Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides non-medical support, resources, and services to individuals and families affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in the New York Metro area, including NY, NJ, and CT. The foundation was established in honor of Claire Collier, who was affected by ALS, and focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients, their families, and caregivers by offering services like financial assistance, patient advocacy, care coordination, mental health services, and help with home modifications.

The mission of MAC Angels Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for persons, family members and caregivers impacted daily by ALS, by providing the compassion, education and unique resources needed to manage the devastating effects of this disease. The organization provides unique, non-medical support tailored to the individual needs of people with ALS (pALS), families, and caregivers. Financial grants, patient advocacy, coordinating care, case management, mental health support, and assistance with home modifications like wheelchair ramps.

The foundation was established as the Mary Ann Collier Foundation in 2001, initially to help people with serious illnesses. Following the death of Mary Ann Collier’s daughter, Claire Collier, from ALS in 2010, the organization’s mission and focus were changed exclusively to support those impacted by ALS. MAC Angels Foundation aims to fill the gaps in care by offering unique, practical assistance and support that complements research and treatment efforts.
The foundation partners with other non-profits to provide comprehensive care and enhance the quality of life for the ALS community (https://www.macangels.org/).

I was also able to connect with Joseph Lemkin who is the shareholder for Stark & Stark and his wife Susan. They were awesome, getting to know them yesterday, talking about Rutgers, their kids and etc.

What Is Stark & Stark

Stark & Stark is a law firm, founded in 1933, with a full range of legal services for businesses and individuals, serving clients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and nationwide. The firm specializes in various areas, including personal injury, business law, employment law, and real estate, and is known for its experienced attorneys and commitment to client success. Stark & Stark provides a comprehensive range of legal assistance for both individual and corporate clients.

Their services span areas like:
Accident & Personal Injury
Business & Commercial Law
Individual & Family Law
Employment Law
Real Estate (https://www.stark-stark.com/).

My friend John Armwood from Said By Woods and Sports Illustrated came to support also as we setup an interview for him with my Mentor, 2X Superbowl Champion and great friend Leonard Marshall after the event (https://jea1761.wixsite.com/temporaryfix?fbclid=PAT01DUAM1FQhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp7DRLH4ZdL5hqocjfXdk4kRu1MuYBl9phgaqZQgT1LZI1pt4GON_-HOldMuy_aem_sSgE7p7L-vpf73k776PsVQ).

Shout-out to Leonard Marshall, Marty Siederer and Mac Angels Foundation for an amazing event yesterday live at Woodbridge Brewing Company, glad to be a part of it helping out and looking forward to the next one already.