- Date Of Birth: October 3, 1938
- Date Of Death: December 3, 2018
- State: Florida
Lieutenant General Joseph S. Laposata was born to Joseph and Mary Laposata on 3 October 1938, in Johnstown, PA. He was the oldest of four children and the first of the generation that was fully assimilated into the American culture after his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy early in the 20th century in search of economic opportunity.
Joe began to work in his father’s barber shop at 10 years of age. Advanced from janitor, to cashier, to shoe shine boy, Joe passed all exams and earned his barber license at 16. After high school, Joe attended Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, PA, and paid every penny of his college tuition. He graduated with a degree in Biology and a Chemistry/Physics minor.
Joe served as an Infantry officer and was later transferred to Logistics to serve as a parachutist and parachute rigger.
Joe married Anita, the girl down the street, in 1961. They first met as children and later became college sweethearts. They shared the virtues of a common character base and the Christian religion. Anita is exceptionally bright and they had a loving relationship. Joe was sustained by Anita in his busy life and his love for her knew no bounds. 70 to 80 hour weeks were common for 20 years; Anita managed the home, children and dogs with extraordinary skill. They lived 15 years in Italy, Germany and Luxembourg. After 37 years of public life and another 17 years of private endeavors as well as writing a book titled It’s All About Choices, he fully retired in 2016.
Joe is survived by his wife Anita; three married sons, Joe/Christie (Toronto, Canada), Dave/Carol (Santa Fe, NM) and Matt/Lisa (Atlanta, GA); seven grandchildren – Albert, Cameron, Danny, Edward, Lauren, Mike and Saffron; and brothers Sam/Kathie and Michael/Susan and sister Dolly/Mike.
Loved by his family and highly decorated by both United States and foreign governments, Joe goes to his reward content that he ran the race of this life using all his talent and character. Joe had few regrets; but did note that he wished that he had learned to play Bridge.
