Obituary of Joseph La Rosa

Joseph La Rosa passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at CentraState Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.  Joe, as he was affectionally called, came to America in 1959 from Calabria Italy at age 14 to live with his older brother Frank. In 1967, Joe married the love of his life, Carmela. Joe worked at Anaconda Copper Works and later for the city of Perth Amboy Sewage Department as a supervisor. He was a longtime resident of Perth Amboy NJ before he made his home in Freehold NJ in 2013.

Joe had a passion for cooking.  From his homemade sausage and wine to numerous Italian specialties, from brewing espresso to being a grill master, he did it all and did it well. He loved to garden and had a garden filled with tomatoes, basil, beans and of course a fig tree as well as other Italian necessities to support his cooking.

Joe was a lifetime member of the Italian Tripoli Club in Perth Amboy, NJ where he enjoyed playing bocci, cards and attending the numerous club events with his family.

Joe is predeceased by his parents Antonio and Guiseppina, his brother Frank and sister Caterina.  He is survived by his beloved wife Carmela La Rosa, his children Anthony La Rosa and his wife Linda (Rockaway NJ) and Rosalie La Rosa-Anstett and her husband Charles (Freehold NJ), proud and loving grandfather to Gina, Joey, Sienna and Ava.  He is also survived by many cherished family members, including his older sister Angela (Calabria IT), sisters and brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Joe will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.  To know Joe was to love Joe.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Entombment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joseph’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com .