Joseph LaRosa

Joseph "Joe" LaRosa, aged 81, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on April 9, 2025. Born on August 8, 1943, and raised in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, New York, Joe was a cherished and loving man who adored his family.
Joe leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Joan, and their children, Gina Rivera (Charles), Michael LaRosa (Shirley), and Christina Jarboe (James). His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Brianna (Anthony), Annalyse (William), AJ, Jayce, Liz, Charlie, Jack, Daniel, Jillian, Audrey, Madelyn, Jacob, and Ava, as well as his great-grandchildren, Liam, Kaiden, Genevieve, and Haylie. Joe is also survived by his brother, Peter LaRosa (Lucy), sister, Mary Lederer (Jeff), as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary LaRosa, and his sisters, Nancy LaRosa and Frances Kopito.
Joe graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1961, then earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (1965), an M.S. in Applied Mechanics (1968), and completed two years of Ph.D. studies in Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. In 1972, he moved from New York to Connecticut to begin his career as an aeronautical engineer at Pratt & Whitney, where his talent and dedication quickly made him an invaluable part of the team. He received numerous accolades, including the Wings Award for outstanding leadership in support of diversity and being honored as Distinguished Engineer of the Year during his time as Chief Engineer for the GP-7000 Engine Program and other various turbofan engines. Even after retiring as an executive in 2011, the company asked him to stay on as a consultant-a reflection of the deep respect he earned throughout his career. Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe had a profound passion for life, which was evident in his diverse hobbies. He found joy in spending time with his family, playing piano, and indulging in jazz music. Joe cherished family gatherings with his siblings, where impromptu jam sessions often broke out. He also loved playing piano with The Screamin' Eagles Jazz Band, a 21-piece Big Band of current and former Pratt & Whitney employees.
Joe cared very much about his community, serving over ten years on the East Hartford town council as minority leader and supporting his children's school as PTA president. An avid reader, Joe had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was often spending his spare time researching topics of interest and reading everything from textbooks to novels. He also took pride in his Italian heritage and enjoyed studying the language. His love for sports was palpable, especially when cheering for his favorite teams, which included the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, and UConn basketball. He also adored his Golden Retriever, Zoey. They enjoyed their daily walks and playing at the park together. She was the dog he didn't initially want, but couldn't live without.
Joe was always so proud of his family and he always put family first. He loved to spend one-on-one time with his children and grandchildren, taking them out to lunch or dinner at a favorite restaurant, and sharing coffee or a glass of wine along with valuable life advice. He loved nothing more than a good, deep conversation with a family member or friend.
He took an active role in the lives of his grandchildren with his consistent attendance in all that was important to them, including graduations, sports games, dance recitals, play performances, band and chorus concerts, book fairs, ice cream socials, and more. He was always cheering them on, always took interest in whatever interested them, and would never hesitate to drop everything to help or be present for his family.
Joe touched the lives of everyone he met. He was always there to offer a listening ear, a thoughtful word of advice, or simply his steady presence. Full of knowledge and wisdom, he always seemed to have the right answers, no matter the situation. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, and his memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The UConn Foundation or the Save the Music Foundation, honoring Joe's love of knowledge, education, and music.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Avenue, Glastonbury, followed by a memorial service at 3:30 pm in the funeral home. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our Tree Store.