Joseph Lapolla

Joseph Lapolla, age 94/retired Navy Captain and retired Deputy Director of Port Canaveral; family, career, living life large, and world travels were his priorities. Joseph Lapolla, 94, of Cocoa Beach, Florida passed away peacefully April 7, 2024 at Viera Del Mar Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family both near and far. Born, February 28, 1930 in Manhattan and raised in Middle Village, Queens, N.Y., he was the son of the late Mazzini Lapolla and Anna Harkins-Lapolla. He was the loving husband of Carol Lapolla.

Joe graduated from Columbia University in NY with a civil engineering degree and a mechanical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Captain Joseph Lapolla proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1952 – 1981 including a tour to Vietnam. During his military career as a US Naval Officer in the Civil Engineering Corps (Seabees) he traveled the world with his family to include assignments in Trinidad, South America; Keflavik, Iceland; Agana, Guam and numerous stations in the United States. In 1981, after retiring from the United States Navy, Joe moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida where he was employed as the Engineering Director and Deputy Port Director at Port Canaveral at Cape Canaveral, FL. Joe won many awards in his career, such as the PER BRUUN Distinguished Service Award for significant contributions for the cause of beach preservation.

More than these achievements, he was a loving husband, devoted father, and revered grandfather and great grandfather. His generous spirit, calming support and inner strength, demonstrative affection, and his love of life will be his legacy that ripples forward in each of us. He was well loved. He loved us more. His voice and visage will be sorely missed.

Joe was loved and cherished by his surviving wife Carol, his children, Theresa Lapolla, Joseph Lapolla (Jessica), Patricia Lapolla Swier; 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many extended family and friends who loved him dearly. Joe was predeceased by his beloved daughter Anne Scandalios; his cherished siblings Tom, Frankie and Maryann.

At Joe’s request, there will not be a funeral service. A private celebration of life will be held on May 1,2024 in Cocoa Beach, FL 32925. For those wishing to share memories, please do so below.