Joseph F. Mafera

Who was Joseph F. Mafera?

Joseph F. Mafera was a Democratic politician from Queens, New York City who served briefly as Queens Borough President.

Mafera was born in White Plains, New York in 1895. He lived most of his life in Ridgewood, Queens. He held a number of civil service jobs and political positions in Queens, including Queens Parks Department Superintendent and Commissioner of Borough Works. After the death of Queens Borough President Maurice A. FitzGerald in September 1951, Mafera was chosen to serve out the term. Mafera had the shortest term of any Queens Borough President, serving only four months.

Mafera served on the New York City Tax Commission for ten years after his time as Borough President. He died on February 12, 1967. After his death, Glenridge Park in Ridgewood was renamed in his honor as Joseph F. Mafera Park.