Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph Paul LaPara

July 13, 1914 - Sept. 13, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/15/2001

South Bend — Mr. Joseph Paul LaPara, 87, of East Edison Road, passed away Thursday at 7:13 a.m. in Healthwin Specialized Care following an illness. Joseph was born on July 13, 1914, in Elkhart, IN to the late Paul and Vincenza (Bonfiglio) LaPara. He lived in the Michiana area all of his life. He retired from General Liquors where he worked for 34 years as a Salesman.

On November 19, 1938, he married Rose Mary (Nate) LaPara who survives of South Bend. He is also survived by two sons, Joseph (Mary Lee) LaPara of Osceola, IN, Thomas (Sharon) LaPara of South Bend; six grandchildren, Thomas, Timothy, Tina, Michael, Pamela and Tracy; six great- grandchildren; four sisters, Rose Mary LaPara of Valparaiso, IN, Virginia Friedson of Wauwatosa, WI, Esther (Joseph) DeRyckere of South Bend, Martha (John) Alves of Columbus, OH; and a brother, Frank LaPara of Elkhart, IN. A sister, Helen Sellers of Oklahoma City, OK and a brother, Bruno LaPara of Elkhart, both predeceased him.

A celebration of the Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, September 17, 2001, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Graveside services will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. in the McGann Funeral Homes, University Area Chapel , 2313 E. Edison Road, near Ironwood. There will be a Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. He was a former member the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #553 and was a long time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. Memorial donations may be made in Joe's memory to the charity of the donor's choice.