Joseph A Lazzarini

1926 - 2025

Joseph A. Lazzarini, MD, 99, of Sautee Nacoochee, passed away on Aug. 11, 2025, in his home surrounded by family and loved ones.
Dr. Joe, as he was affectionately called, was born on Jan. 8, 1926, in the small town of Sabana Grande located on the southwest side of the island of Puerto Rico. He was the fifth of seven children (first male) born to Miguel Angel Lazzarini and Rafaela Lugo Martinez, who were descendants of immigrants with French-Italian roots (Corsica) and from northern Spain, respectively. He was devoted to his faith, his family, his community, and his country.
His faith was strong early in his youth, serving as an altar boy at Parroquía San Isidro Labrador, a Catholic Church built in the 17th century in the town center where he was born. During that time, he learned to recite the mass and prayers in Latin.
He left the island of Puerto Rico in his late teens destined for the motherland, the continental United States. He continued traveling the world and found himself in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, and Argentina.
He began his military career during World War II, where he served in the enlisted ranks in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army. He also served as a merchant marine. He was a self-taught carpenter, plumber, electrician, and vehicle mechanic (some of the training received through the military) and received his fixed wing pilot license with commercial and instrument ratings.
Years later he became a physician after attending medical school in Spain, where he met and married his wife, Liberty Lopez de Ochoa. He began his medical career in General Practice / Family Medicine then later specialized as a Doctor in Radiology. Later, he reentered military service as an officer in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of Colonel before retiring. He returned to private medical practice until his full retirement, after which he helped establish the Community Helping Hands Clinic in Cleveland.
He was a member of the Lion's Club as well as a very proud and very involved member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as the Grand Knight in several different councils. He also served as a medical spokesman for the Knights of Columbus in Georgia.
He ultimately settled in White County, where he resided the longest of all the places he lived. His final resting place will be Yonah View Memorial Gardens next to his beloved wife, as well as his father- and mother-in-law, who are also laid to rest there.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; his brother; and four of his sisters. He is survived by his son, Edward Lazzarini (Victoria); his daughters, Beatriz Reid (David) and Janet Zanghi (the late Anthony Zanghi); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Liberty Bonnell (Daniel) and children, Benjamin, Ephraim, Oliver, and Judah; Beatrice Marchette (Teale) and children, Sophia, Joseph, and Leilani; Dina Zanghi; Anthony Zanghi (Alicia) and sons, Anthony and Benjamin; and Angel Zanghi (the late Charles Miller) and children, Angelina, Alyssa, and Charlie. He is also survived by his dear sister, Yolanda Ubiñas Lazzarini, and his devoted caretakers, Regina Shields and Angel Perryman.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. A private family burial will occur at Yonah View Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Joe's name to Community Helping Hands Clinic or to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, both in Cleveland.
To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com
Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland
White County News · Cleveland, Georgia
August 21, 2025