[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF MARIE EDITH MUSTILLO

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Marie 
Edith Mustillo, a woman of strength, honor and good humor, on her 90th 
Birthday.
  Born on October 5, 1929 to John and Rose Perrello, Sicilian 
immigrants whose American dream was realized as they settled in 
Buffalo. The third of five children, Marie and her siblings grew up on 
Myrtle Avenue in Buffalo. She attended Public School 6 Grammar School 
and went on to the Girls Vocational High School. Cultural stigmas posed 
no threat to Marie Perrello as she studied business and took a position 
at Allstate Trucking where she wrote up manifests for the drivers. 
While employed there, it was not uncommon for a man to tell her that 
because she was a woman, she was in the wrong job. Marie proved it was 
those men who were wrong.
  She then took her professional skills to W.H. Edgar and Son, a sugar 
company at the Clinton Market where she worked as a secretary. Marie 
moved from the market to a doctor's office as she became a trusted 
podiatry assistant for almost thirty years at the office of Dr. Herbert 
Shulefand.
  As if out of a movie script, this lively, lovely young woman met the 
love of her life, Louis Mustillo, Sr., on New Year's Eve in 1950. Three 
years later they married. Always close to her family, married life 
would not change that as the happy couple lived upstairs from her 
parents before moving to Mineral Spring Road in 1956 because her 
grandmother lived on Hayden, the next street over. The Mustillo's 
finally planted their roots on Edgewood Avenue, in a home where Marie 
still lives today. At their new South Buffalo home, Marie and Louis, 
who would become known as Buffalo's most respected professional 
bartender, raised three beautiful children together: Concetta (Michael 
Myers), Louis Jr. (Tricia Brown), and Lisa (Mark Vary). Their 
children's careers in health care, the entertainment industry and 
social work continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
  The Mustillo home, like others on Edgewood Avenue, became a gathering 
place for the families, children and many friends who found an open 
door, a warm welcome, an invite for dinner and when needed, a look that 
meant someone would be sent home for misbehaving. A few years ago, 
there was even a widely attended Edgewood Avenue reunion where 
neighbors of all generations, present and past, spent the evening 
reminiscing about the block parties, life-long friendships, shared 
celebrations and heartache that made Edgewood a very special place to 
raise a family.
  And, Marie and Louis resided in the heart of that street and 
personified the values of family, faith, friendship, hard work, giving 
back to one's community, pursuing your dreams, loyalty and love of 
country that they instilled in their children and grandchildren, 
Michael, Lisa and Concetta Marie. In true Marie Mustillo style, she 
soldiered on after the loss of her beloved husband in 1998 even 
comforting a neighbor getting married that day. Now the undisputed 
matriarch of the Mustillo clan, she is held in high regard by those who 
know her and love her and those she loves so well.
  Her passion for gardening reflects her love of nature, the pride she 
takes in doing her own planting and then seeing her work come to life 
as she curates one of the most glorious presentations in the 
neighborhood. Its inclusion in the South Buffalo Garden Walk makes her 
home a true destination for residents and visitors alike. You are truly 
blessed, as I am, to be the recipient of one her aprons as one of 
Marie's favorite pastimes is sewing. Her handmade aprons have made 
appearances on national television programs including Mike and Molly, 
which starred her son Louis Jr. and are permanent fixtures in the 
wardrobe department at Warner Brothers Studios. These aprons have been 
gifted to New York State Governor Cuomo as well as several Parisian 
cafes.
  A longtime, active parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) Church, it 
is appropriate that the color representing 90 years is purple, the same 
color highlighting so many STA banners over the years. Purple 
represents wisdom, dignity, independence and creativity; all innate 
qualities found in the fiber and fabric of Marie Mustillo.
  Madam Speaker, I thank you for this time to acknowledge Marie Edith 
Perrello Mustillo who for 90 years has graced the lives of her family 
she loves and the friends she cherishes as she built relationships that 
have lasted a lifetime. We send congratulations and best wishes for 
continued health and happiness as this beloved wife, devoted mother, 
caring grandparent, generous friend, honorary Edgewood Eagle and South 
Buffalo Legend will be celebrated at Chef's Restaurant on the date of 
her birth, October 5.

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