Joseph L. La Magna

Joseph Louis La Magna, 86, of East Windsor, NJ, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Benedetto and Caterina La Magna. Joseph is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 beautiful years, Lorraine; his children, Stephen La Magna Sr. (Melissa), Cathy Brandt (Jim), and Michelle Kiernan (Kevin); his ten grandchildren Kayla, Arica, Nicole, Michelle, Kelsey, Katie, Joseph, Michael, Kevin, Stephen Jr., and four great-grandchildren.
Known affectionately as Papa Joe or Pippo, he was truly larger than life-a man you could never forget. Born in 1938 in Grammichele, Sicily, Italy, Joseph made the courageous decision at just 15 to leave his homeland and start a new life in the United States with the help of his extended family. That bold choice shaped not only his own future but also the lives of the family he built and cherished.
Determined and hardworking, Joseph learned the language, became a U.S. citizen, and pursued higher education. As an electrical engineer, he was an innovator, a patent holder, and always working on new ideas, whether at RCA, AT&T or in his own business ventures. He proudly served 8 years in the US Army Reserve.
Papa Joe knew how to enjoy life. A devoted sports fan, he loved the NY Giants, Mets, and Rangers. His favorite soccer team was Juventus, and any team his grandchildren played for. He was also an active participant in sports, playing soccer and golf, coaching, and swimming countless laps at the YMCA. He was an avid member of the Italian American club where he played bocce and shuffleboard. In the mid-afternoon, he savored a good Scotch and a short nap.
Above all, Joseph was a family man. His warmth, wisdom, and humor made every moment spent with him special, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 1, 2025, at St. David the King Roman Catholic Church, 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction, NJ. The visitation begins at 10:00 AM, followed A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The American Cancer Society.
Though we will miss him deeply, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on-in the family he created, the lessons he imparted, and the love he gave so freely