Joseph N. LaPointe

U.S. Navy
1945-1958
WWII Korean War

Joseph was born April 27, 1928, in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, the oldest of seven. He was raised at St. John's Residence for Boys in Rockaway.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 at the age of 17. He was assigned to the USS New Jersey, Iowa- Class Battleship. He completed two tours of duty seeing combat in both WWII and the Korean War.
He traveled around the world, and always enjoyed relating stories from his time in the Navy,
1945-1958.

While contemplating a third tour, Joseph met the love of his life, Teresa Murphy. They married in 1959,
moved to Staten Island, and had seven children - six sons; Joseph, Stephen, John, Richard, Andrew and Michael, and a daughter, Michele.

Joseph joined the FDNY in 1960. He retired in 1989 after 29 years of service to the citizens of New York City.
Joseph loved being a firefighter and always had stories to tell. Before his retirement, he was awarded the "Golden Spoon," for always stirring the pot. After retiring, he kept in close touch with his firefighter brothers.

He was a sexton at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Eltingville, and worked for the Radar Painting Company in the Bronx painting houses part-time into his 70s. Joseph was an active parishioner of Holy Child R.C. Church, Eltingville, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and played volleyball for many years.
Nicknamed "Bert" by his children, Joseph was deeply involved with his family. He umpired Little League games, and enjoyed swimming and playing pool volleyball with his children, dancing with his wife and playing with his 23 grandchildren, whom he adored. He passed away in June 2009 at age 81.


Sponsored by Joseph LaPointe