Joseph J. LaGuardia's Obituary
Joseph J. LaGuardia, 63, of Syracuse, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2012. When Joe passed, he felt the comfort of his family and friends by his side, one of the most incredible moments for Joe and his family.
Joe was the son of Santo and Fannie LaGuardia and grew up on Syracuse's North side. He was a graduate of Christian Brother's Academy, class of 1966 and Syracuse University Newhouse School of Communication in 1970. Joe served with the National Guard from 1970 to 1974.
Joe met his wife, Carol, in 1971 while he was a reporter with the Herald Journal covering City Hall. Carol was secretary to the President of the Common Council and from that time on they were together for 42 years. They have three beautiful, adored children-Joey, Lori and Stephen. He instilled in them all the family values that were important to him, the same values that two immigrant parents from Italy instilled in him-love, faith, generosity and devotion to family and God. The greatest joy was the birth of his three grandchildren, Jacob, (age 7), Giada, (age 4) and Anthony, (age 2 1/2) where he began handing down the same values he passed on to his own children. Joseph was the most devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Joe started his professional career as a reporter for the Syracuse newspapers and as the director of sales, publicity and promotion for the Syracuse Eagles and the Syracuse Blazers hockey teams.
Joe went on to become an executive with the New York State Fair as Director of Marketing, Entertainment and Publicity for 32 years. During that tenure, Joe became a respected leader in the fair and entertainment industry and was instrumental in building the New York State Fair into a 12 day event that became one of the largest state fairs in the country. During this time Joe earned honors and recognition by the International Entertainment Buyers Association, the Academy of Country Music and the International Association of Fairs and Expositions where he received the highest honor in the industry when he became a Certified Fair Executive in 1994. Joe furthered his distinguished public service commitment as the Executive Director of the Syracuse Lakefront Development Corporation. He culminated his career as a partner in Motto LaGuardia Events LLC.
Joe was very active and generously devoted his time to many community organizations. He was active and a board member of the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Sports Corporation, the Central New York Arthritis Foundation, Elmcrest Children's Center, the Syracuse Convention and Business Bureau, the Syracuse Chiefs and others. Joe was a diehard Yankees Fan, avid golfer serving as past president of Bellevue Country Club.
The center of Joe's universe was his family. He is predeceased by his father, Santo and survived by his 100 year old mother, Fannie; his loving wife, Carol (Malys) LaGuardia; his children, Joseph (Christine) LaGuardia, Lori (Scott) Harrington, Stephen (Melissa) LaGuardia and grandchildren, Jacob, Giada and Anthony.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 9:30 am in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may call at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY on Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Please go to www.josephlaguardia.com in order to contribute to the charitable organizations that have helped Joe over the past several months.
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