Joseph C. Damiani was born and raised in Clarkstown Ward 1. He attended Little Tor School, Felix Festa Middle School and Clarkstown HS North. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Business Management at Cornell University which he attended on an Air Force ROTC Scholarship. He spent 23 years in the Active Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, awards and decorations include Two Air Medals, The Aerial Achievement Award, Air Force Commendation and Humanitarian Airlift Medal flying more than 40 missions in Hazardous Conditions.  Damiani flew for  Pan American, Northwest and Delta Airlines retiring as a Captain with 30 Years experience. He was also an active Union Representative in the Airline Pilots Association specializing in Retirement and Insurance issues.