Joseph S. Picone Sr., of Hicksville, died on Dec. 3, 2000. He was born in Brooklyn and moved to Hicksville in the early 1950s. He was founder and chairman emeritus of the board of directors of Joseph S. Picone and Son Inc. in East Farmingdale. As a major supplier of cement blocks and as a commercial developer of the Route 110 corridor in the Farmingdale area, he witnessed the growth from a pastoral zone to a vibrant business sector. During his stewardship he was active in many charities of the Sisters of Mercy of which his daughter, Sister Florence Picone, is the regional administrator for Catholic Charities Brooklyn East Region. He was also a former trustee of Our Lady of Mercy Church. Husband of the late Frances. Father of Bernadette Grillo, Mary Jane Long, Sister Frances Picone, RSM, Joann Gaj, Florence Policastro, Rita Iannone, Joseph Picone Jr. and Audrey Ziegler. Grandfather of 23. Great-grandfather of 13. Brother of Lean Cusano and Mary Vilagio. Uncle of many nieces and nephews. . Arrangements were made the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, Hicksville. Mass at Our Lady of Mercy RC Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 273 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11305, c/o Sister Frances Picone or St. Mary's Children and Families Foundation, 525 Convent Rd., Syosset, NY 11791, c/o Liz Giordano.