In a Bronx Funeral Parlor, a Veteran’s War Memorial

Joseph Garofalo, a World War II veteran, persuaded John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home to display his collection.

In a Bronx Funeral Parlor, a Veteran’s War Memorial

By VINCENT M. MALLOZZI
Published: June 10, 2008

The old marine was back on duty Thursday, standing guard over a military shrine in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.

Joseph Garofalo, 87, huddled with other veterans near a glass display case filled with dog tags and medals, helmets and hand grenades, and other artifacts from the two world wars, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

For the past three years, the modest exhibit of military service has been on display at a rather unusual location: the John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home.

“I went knocking on a lot of doors to make this happen, to libraries and other local businesses, looking for a proper home for all of these important items,” said Mr. Garofalo, creator and curator of what he calls, perhaps a bit grandly, the Bronx Military Museum. “This was the only place that cared enough about honoring the memory of some of the heroes who fought so bravely for our country.”

Chris DiCostanzo, 60, manages the funeral home and is a Vietnam veteran. He said he gave careful consideration to making Mr. Garofalo’s collection a part of the daily viewings. “Hand grenades,” Mr. DiCostanzo said softly, “are not something that people are used to seeing at a funeral parlor.”
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