Joseph “Joe” Tirone, Jr. is a cornerstone of the Staten Island real estate community, known not just for his professional expertise but for his deep-rooted commitment to the island’s residents. A local broker who truly understands the meaning of "home," Joe was personally among the hundreds of Staten Islanders who lost their properties during the devastation of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, including his own bungalow in Oakwood Beach.

Following Hurricane Sandy, and other floods in Oakwood Beach, residents did not know where to turn. Joe Tirone organized and led the Oakwood Beach Buyout Committee that would petition New York’s government to buy neighborhoods, as well as incentivize families to relocate far from flood risk areas. Joe Tirone, former owner of a property in Fox beach, was interested in offering homeowners the opportunity to sell their homes, pre-storm value, to the government. In Joe’s mind it was the only way battered residents could financially recover from the storm, Joe also wanted to make sure that the area would be returned to nature, and ensure the land was not going to be redeveloped, to prevent other residents from being at risk.

His work as a "managed retreat" pioneer gained national attention, highlighting his ability to navigate complex government bureaucracy for the benefit of the community. Joe is also an influential philanthropic leader and outreach advocate. He strategically champions the development of workforce housing on Staten Island and has received widespread recognition for his community-focused response to COVID-19 emergency supply needs, ensuring local families had access to essential resources during a global crisis.