Joseph Nicholas Maranto

December 13, 1935 – August 22, 2026

Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather • Veteran • Baltimore County Public Schools Administrator • Devoted Servant of His Community

Joseph N. Maranto, 90, of Timonium, Maryland, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on August 22, 2026. Born December 13, 1935, he was the son of Joseph and Frances Maranto, owners of "Maranto & Co. Imported Grocery" on Ensor Street in Old Town, Baltimore and brother to Leonard Maranto.

Joe graduated from St. Dominic's Elementary School in 1949 and Calvert Hall College High School in 1953 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore in 1957. He continued his education throughout his life, earning a master's degree from Western Maryland College in 1972 and completing all coursework toward a Ph.D. at the Catholic University of America, though illness ultimately kept him from sitting for his oral examinations.

From 1964 to 1998, Joe built a distinguished, more than three-decade career in personnel administration with Baltimore County Public Schools, rising to Director of Personnel and earning recognition in 1985 as Baltimore County's Educational Administrator of the Year.

But above every title and honor, Joe was, first and always, a family man. He married the love of his life, Sandra, on December 17, 1961, and remained her devoted husband for 64 years. As a father and grandfather, he gave generously of his time, wisdom, and love — always the one his children and grandchildren could count on, and a role model whose example his family will carry forward for generations.

That same generosity of spirit extended into his community, where he gave countless hours of his time and talents. Joe was a longtime, deeply active member of the Kiwanis Club of Loch Raven for over five decades, rising to Lieutenant Governor of the 6th Division and earning the Hixon Award, Kiwanis International's highest honor. He went on to serve as President of the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation, overseeing club investments across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., and was later honored with the Foundation's Legion of Honor, Honorary Life Member Awards, as well as the Founders Society Medal.

Joe was equally devoted to his profession. Within the International Personnel Management Association, he served as President of the Maryland chapter and later the Eastern Region, which honored him with the Frank H. Densler Award for his contributions to advancing public human resource administration.

Over the course of his career, Joe also received the WJZ-TV Channel 13 Award and was twice named Kiwanian of the Year, and in 2012 was elected to the Baltimore Boys of Summer Hall of Fame.

Joe's volunteer service touched nearly every corner of his community. He served as Chairman of the Towson Fourth of July Parade and the Towson Towne Festival, and organizer of the Little League Parade for the Loch Raven community. He was active with the Towson Historical Society, served on the Board of Directors of the Towson YMCA, and contributed to the Towson/Loch Raven Community Council, the Towson Bicentennial Committee, and the Education Committee for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. He also served as President of the Towson-Dulaney Sons of Italy Lodge and as a Trustee of the Appian Society.

Joe was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cockeysville, Maryland, and St. Olaf's Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. He loved to travel, was an avid golfer, and cherished time with his wife and family at their vacation home in Williamsburg.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sandra Maranto; his brother Leonard Maranto; his three children, Maria Maranto and her husband Mike Rendine, Joseph Maranto and his wife Monique, and Anne Christian and her husband Greg; and his seven grandchildren, Katie Medved, Maria Fioravanti and her husband Michael, Caroline Yanson, Devon Maranto and his wife Megan, Ethan Maranto, Trey Maranto, and Emily Christian.

Friends may visit at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd. Towson, MD on Sunday, August 30, 2026 from 2:00-6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cockeysville, Maryland on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The entombment will follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Calvert Hall College Class of 1953 Scholarship Fund, in celebration of Joe's love for Calvert Hall and the lifelong friendships he shared with his classmates:

https://calverthall.myschoolapp.com/page/giving/give-today?siteId=1732&ssl=1

How to Direct Your Gift to the Class of 1953 Fund

Because this is a specific alumni endowment, you will need to manually specify it on the form:

1.Select or enter your Gift Amount.
2.Locate the Designation dropdown menu.
3. Select Other .
4.Type Class of 1953 Scholarship Fund into the "other Designation" text box.