Obituary of Joseph Michael Laura

Joseph Michael Laura, 95, of Freehold passed away peacefully on Monday, September 9, 2024.  He was born, raised and lived in Brooklyn before moving to Freehold in 2007. Joe worked as an inspector for the Dept of Consumer Affairs in NYC. He was an athlete his whole life, playing baseball as a kid, bowling in leagues, and eventually finding a love for golf. His love for sports carried on through his grandchildren, who he loved to coach and watch play. Never at a loss for an opinion, he was quick to point out to the actual coaches and umpires what they were doing wrong and on occasion, was correct. In addition to his love for sports, he also found joy in music. He taught himself how to play the saxophone, clarinet, and piano. At all times, he could be found singing songs from the big band era- always making up his own lyrics.

He was predeceased by his wife, Anne, and is survived by his daughters, Graceanne and Lisa, and their spouses, Mark and Parkhill, as well as his brother, Bobby, sister-in-law, Marie, and brother-in-law, Vincent. He adored his grandchildren and their spouses: Christa and Taylor, Stephanie and Jonathan, Matthew and Emma, Laura and Kevin, and Elizabeth. The lights of his life were his great grandchildren, Loriana and Giulia, and his grand-dogs, Noodles, Charlie, Jasmine, Stacy, and Sunny.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at St. Ephrem Catholic Church, 929 Bay Ridge Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.  Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 3620 Tilden Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For information, directions or to leave condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com