Oceanside’s Satriano raising scholarship funds

Oceanside resident Joe Satriano, who started the Susan Satriano Foundation after his wife, Susan, died of cancer, said that over the years since his wife died, he has provided more than $300,000 in scholarship money to 450 kids in 44 school districts throughout the nation. He raises money through concerts such as the one planned for Westhampton Beach on Oct. 2, featuring the Beatles tribute band "Strawberry Fields," by selling T-shirts and copies of his book, “In Sickness and in Health,” the story of his life with his wife and her death. He wrote the book under the pen name of J.S. Russo.

After his wife died, Satriano said he was in a “funk”, and a friend took him to see “Strawberry Fields,” the Beatlemania on Broadway tribute band. He enjoyed it so much he went to see them again, and spoke to them about his wife and his book. They were so taken with the story they agreed to do fund raising concerts for his foundation, and brought their music to Oceanside in 2013.

Satriano said that there are three criteria for students seeking help from the foundation: they have to be graduating seniors, be accepted to a college or university of the fall term and have a parent who has died from cancer, is battling the disease, or is in remission. He noted that 19 graduating seniors from Oceanside alone qualified for scholarships this year.

Satriano hears from the schools about qualifying kids, and arranges to talk to them. He said he tells them his story and they often open up and tell him theirs. “For some of these kids it’s the first time anyone took an interest in what they are going through.” For out of state kids he uses Skype, but the process is the same. “This has been a cathartic trip for me,” Satrinao said. “An incredible time that has given me an opportunity to speak with and help so many kids. All of the money I raise goes to the kids,” he said, “I am the entire foundation, there are no management costs.”

The concert this weekend is at the Westhampton Beach High School at 49 Lilac Road in Westhampton. Tickets for the concert are $25 and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.susansatrianofoundation.com or at (516) 603-5520.