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BORN
1925
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
JOSEPH LORUSSO Obituary
He is survived by his beloved five children, twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Joseph J. Lorusso II of South Walpole, MA and his son Joseph J. Lorusso III of South Walpole, MA, Mary (Lorusso) Miles and her husband Jack of Wrentham, MA and their sons Michael Miles and his wife Emily of Plainville, MA and their daughter Caroline Miles, Jonathan Miles of Wrentham, MA and Matthew Miles of Wrentham, MA. Gerard Lorusso and his wife Leslie of Wrentham, MA and their children, Alessandra Lorusso of Wrentham, MA, Cassandra Lorusso of Wrentham, MA, Marissa Lorusso of Wrentham, MA, Julianna Lorusso of Wrentham, MA and Jarred Lorusso of Wrentham, MA. Ellen Lorusso of Plainville, MA and her children, Kevin Murray of Sandwich, MA and Sophie Murray of Quincy, MA, Janet (Lorusso) Franco and her husband Steven and their daughter, Marlo (Franco) Caruso and her husband Mark of Walpole, MA.
He is also survived by his beloved companion Anna Brouwer, with whom he shared many happy years together at their home on Lake Pearl, Wrentham, MA. Joe loved his dog Scooter and their daily car rides together.
While in his teens he worked for his father and during that time he met his former wife Alice, with whom he had five children, Joseph, Mary, Gerard, Ellen and Janet.
He would later go on to partner with his brother Tony in the S.M. Lorusso and Sons Sand and Gravel business located in Walpole, MA.
After expanding and then separating the business, Joe went on to the building and development of residential and commercial properties in the Walpole and Norwood areas in addition to his sand and gravel businesses. Throughout his years he would acquire many commercial real estate properties, one of which was the old King Philip Ballroom in Wrentham, MA, a property that to this day remained near and dear to his heart, and is now known as Lake Pearl Wrentham.
His philanthropy and interests in helping others is well noted by his contributions to the Norwood Hospital as Chairman on the Board of Directors and stewardship of its expansion program. He also served as Trustee of New England School of Law and as a director on various banks Board of Directors.
It is through his generosity and wanting to help others, that his children would learn the importance of following his example and that in doing so, it would have its own reward.
At the request of the family, Services will be private.
Please join us in remembering Joe at a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 6PM, Lake Pearl Ballroom, Wrentham, MA. Ginley Funeral Home Walpole
www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH LORUSSO
Lillian Laro
June 4, 2025
My dearest Joe, not a day goes by that I don´t think of you. You dwell forever in my heart and I truly miss you. I´m sure you´re doing your Italian dances and celebrating. I hope you know I will never forget you. Love you, my friend
Lillian Laro
June 4, 2024
Not day goes by that I don’t think of you. I smile when I think of all the memories, especially you dancing to the Italian music At Lake Pearl. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years but it seems like a lifetime since I’ve heard your voice. I pray you are resting in eternal peace. Love and miss you, my friend
Ted Fitzpatrick
June 20, 2023
Thanks so very much, Mr. Lorusso. You were only in your mid 20's when you and your company built our neighborhood in Walpole. I had imagined in my little kid's mind back then that you had been building houses for a long time, but you were actually very young. In 1951 you sold my parents a house that you had just built on Alice Avenue, and that's where my four siblings and I grew up. Our parents were absolutely thrilled to become owners of that house that you had just built. How the years fly by. You did so much for others during your life. You are the very definition of the words builder, doer and accomplisher. Thanks again. Ted Fitzpatrick
Lillian Laro
June 4, 2023
My dearest, Joe, not a day goes by that I don´t think of you. I pray that you are resting in peace. I hope you know how much you were loved. You are forever in my heart. It´s hard to believe it´s been four years already and yet it seems like a lifetime.
Love Lillie
Lillian Laro
June 4, 2022
My Dearest Joe, not a day goes by that I don´t think of you. You have left a void that no one can fill. You dwell forever in my heart my friend. I pray you are resting in peace.
Love and miss you Lillie
Lillian Laro
June 4, 2021
Oh Joe it’ll be 2 years since you’ve been gone. I think of you every day. I pray that you are resting in eternal peace. I miss you and will always love you my friend. Please know that you will never be forgotten.
Lillie Laro
July 27, 2020
Happy 95th birthday Joe. I know your celebration would have been spectacular. I just want you to know I think of you every day. I miss you more than words can say. Love you my friend
Lillie Laro
June 6, 2020
Dear Joe,
Its been one year since you left us. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of you. I miss you more than you know. You were such a good friend to me and I will never forget that. I pray you are resting in peace. You would be so proud of your Lake Pearl staff for their kind and generous giving during this pandemic. I love you my friend.
Ellen Lorusso
June 6, 2020
Dear Dad,
Today, June 6, 2020 is your one year anniversary of your passing. Hard for me to believe its been a year already. It went by so fast and yet so slow also. Still hard for me to accept it and wrap my head around it all. I miss you so so much. Feels like youre just in Florida on your annual vacations and youll be home soon, yet I know thats not what is. My heart and happier memories keep you alive always. Pictures of you that I have that make me smile or something funny you said or did brings a smile and it keeps you right here and brightens the days. Everyone is fine here. Gerry doing a GREAT job running the businesses and taking care of family, Joe doing well, Mary misses you more than words can express, Jan doing well and me, well Im okay. What brings me comfort is that you are peaceful, no longer so sick and struggling and that you are resting beautifully with God. I miss you Dad, I Love You Dad. Ellie ❤
Bill & Sue Berthelette
September 7, 2019
Sorry for your loss he was a great man
Lillie Laro
July 28, 2019
Tonight we celebrated you Joe. It was a spectacular event. You would have loved it. There were many people there and they played Italian music. The pictures were amazing and your life was displayed before us all to see. The food was fantastic as always. I could just picture you dancing to your music and loving every bit of this party. The fireworks display was the best ever. It was all for you. Although you were not there I know your spirit was. Love and miss you my friend
Lillie Laro
July 27, 2019
Dearest Joe,
Today would have been your 94th birthday. I remember the excitement of being part of your celebration. Ellie always did a spectacular job of all these themes each year. I wonder if you ever knew just how loved you really were. Although you are gone from sight you are forever alive in my heart. There will be a celebration of life for you tomorrow and it will be just as spectacular as all your other celebrations. The one thing that will be missing, the most important thing, is you. You will be there in spirit and we will all feel your presence. God bless and rest in peace my dearest friend . Love and miss you
Ellen Lorusso
July 27, 2019
Dear Dad,
Today, July 27, 2019 you would have been 94 years old. I would have been planning your annual birthday celebration where you would be surrounded by the love of family and friends. Instead, we remember you tonight at a celebration of life where for sure, you will be surrounded by that same love of family and friends.
I haven't even begun to process the gravity of your passing and every day I feel as if you and I will have our usual good morning phone call and then again at night to say good night to you. I wait for it, but my heart knows it won't come. Everyday I feel as if you're in Florida vacationing as you would, and that soon you'll be home. Nothing feels the same anymore, everything takes on a silent stillness, yet I continue to move along with life in a numb mode. How I wish for one more day to hear your voice, to sit and chat with you, to hold your hand, for you to ask me if I got your bed rails covers done yet, and tell you it's okay, it's okay dad. One more day to tell you I Love You, one more day to make you smile or laugh and even if you're not here physically to tell you, or make you smile/laugh, I tell you everyday because you are in my heart and there you will live and be loved FOREVER!!
I knew you were sick and in pain, it was hard to watch and even harder when we had to accept that there was nothing more the doctors could do for you and being home and made comfortable was best. I knew you wanted to feel no pain anymore, physically, mentally or emotionally. It was your time for peacefulness, and acceptance to go to God.
Fr. Joe prayed with you, gave you permission as we did to finish your journey and that God would be waiting for you, he gave you that and he gave us comfort that you were not suffering anymore.
I miss you EVERYDAY and my heart is broken beyond words, but I know you are truly at peace now and probably making your next real estate deal or buying a new Mercedes making sure the pinstripe/initials are on it.
Rest peacefully my dad, I love you so so very much!
Ellie
Beverly Marino (formerly Orleans)
July 26, 2019
It was a sad day when I heard of Joe's passing. I recently moved back to Massachusetts and I had stopped by Lake Pearl last year hoping, by chance, to catch Joe there and say hello. Cathy told me he was still in Florida at the time. Joe always had a kind word or a joke and took a genuine interest in those around him. He had a very welcoming personality. It was somehow comforting just knowing he was close by. My condolences to his entire family.
Lillie Laro
July 6, 2019
Today makes one month since you've been gone Joe and it still seems surreal to me. In my mind I feel like that you're just away in Florida. My heart still aches because of the void you have left. In life, we meet many people we call them acquaintances but the ones that leave footprints on our hearts we call friends. The ones that dwell forever in our hearts we called them true friends and that's what you were to me. I know you were met with open arms. God truly made a special place for you. Your work here on earth was through but you left a legacy that will go on forever. The bright sunrise contradicts the heavy fog that weighs me down. Rest easy and know you were and still are loved.
Debra Donovan
June 14, 2019
Mr. Lorusso holds a place in my heart. He was my landlord when I lost my husband. His kindness and sincerity toward me and my family will never ever be forgotten. You all have my truly deepest sympathies, you've lost a treasure.
Pat (Nichols) Brewer
June 14, 2019
I saw your father's obituary in the Boston Globe and wanted to send my condolences. Your father and mother welcomed me into their home when the Boston College apartment I was living in burned. I have long remembered their kindness and generosity in having me stay with them. Please know you and your families are in my thoughts. May you find comfort in each other and through your memories.
Dee Leverone
June 11, 2019
I cannot express the sorrow I feel with the passing of Joe, I met him through my dearest friend Lillie , Joe was one one the nicest sweetest men I have ever met. and am honored to have known him. Heaven difinitely gained an angel on the day of Joe's passing RIP Dear Friend
Nancy & David Wluka
June 11, 2019
Nancy and I were in Poland when this happened. We're so sorry for your loss. He was a great guy and a character not to be forgotten.
Patricia Salamone
June 11, 2019
We are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a wonderful man and our memories of him will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences to the Lorusso family. Lenny and Patti (Giandomenico) Salamone
George Mirabile
June 11, 2019
Our sympathy and thoughts for all the Lorusso family
Linda Lacke
June 11, 2019
So very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I very much enjoyed working with him and his son Gerry on the Norwood Hospital board of Trustees many years ago. He was an extremely hard working person, and so many benefitted by his philanthropy. As a Creek St neighbor, I love how he saved the old KP Ballroom, breathing new life into a venue that has marked important eventsand funfor countless organizations and families. He has left behind quite a legacy in his family and his work. Rest In Peace, Joe.
William Buckley Sr.
June 11, 2019
Rest in peace Joe, you left a wonderful legacy and family for all of us to remember you by.
Coleman Foley
June 11, 2019
The Lorusso building at Norwood Hospital remains a fitting tribute to Joe. He will be missed by all who know him.
Lillie Laro
June 11, 2019
Dearest Joe,
Rest in peace my oldest and dearest friend. My heart is forever broken. Thank you for your friendship it meant the world to me. You were such a kind and giving soul. I will miss our talks, our breakfasts, our joking but most of all, I will miss you. My world will not feel the same anymore. You have left a void that no one can fill. Through you, I have met your beautiful family and your wonderful companion Ann. I know that you are not gone, it's just harder for me to see you. When the sunrises I know that will be you, saying good morning, when the flowers bloom I know that it's you spreading your love, when I feel a breeze I will know that it is you crossing my path and when the moon rises I know that will be you saying good night. There is no doubt that the dear Lord has carried you home safely in the palm of His hand. Rest easy my friend until we meet again. My deepest sympathies go out to your family.
Dee Leverone
June 11, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Fran Gunning
June 10, 2019
It is with regret I heard of the passing of Joe Lorusso. He was a generous soul and overall a great man! He will surely be missed by many. Joe may you rest in peace and receive your reward for the many blessings you brought to others! Father Pat & Fran Gunning
June 10, 2019
Our deepest sympathies to you all. He will be greatly missed. Joe & Joan Jacobs
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