L. Paul Masto

Leroy Paul Masto, 95, passed away on October 6, 2025. He was born on December 6, 1929, the son of the late Emil Masto and Laura (Seymour) Masto. L.

Paul was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a Private First Class in the Korean War from 1952-1953.

Although Paul was a lifelong entrepreneur in many endeavors, his primary passion was photography. He attended the Winona School of Photography and worked as a staff photographer for the Amsterdam Evening Recorder. In 1955, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for his work covering a story about a tragic fire in Amsterdam, NY. He later founded and operated Masto Photography on Main Street. He also founded and operated the Brick Oven Restaurant in Vail Mills in the 1970’s.

Paul was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Amsterdam and a lifelong member of the New England Photographers Association.

On May 16, 1954, Paul was united in marriage to Matilda M. Torsone. Matilda predeceased Paul on May 6, 2017. He was also predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.

Paul is survived by one daughter, Maria O. Horan (Terry) of Deerfield, NY; three sons, Paul E. Masto (Catherine) of Las Vegas, NV; Mark J. Masto (Janet) of Littleton, CO. and Michael E. Masto (Mary Kathryn) also of Littleton, CO; five grandchildren: Tanner, Parker and Hannah Horan and Shane and Luke Masto, one sister, Laura Brach of Ballston Spa, NY. and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 10, 2025 at11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY. 12010, with Father Paul Catena officiating. 

The public may pay their respects to the family from 9:30 am to11:00 am prior to the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church.

 Interment with military honors will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in L. Paul’s name may be made to Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind. (Website: foresightskiguides.org), or by check to: Foresight Ski-Guides, P.O. Box 882 Vail, CO. 81658.