Joseph Anthony Lisa

Joseph Anthony Lisa, 99, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Roanoke, Virginia. He was the husband of the late Mayrose Teresa Silver Lisa and the son of the late Donato Lisa and Antoinette Romano Lisa.

Joseph was born on April 19, 1923, in Hoboken, New Jersey.  He grew up during the depression and his first job was shining shoes and bringing junk to the junk man.

He served with the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II, made 6 combat jumps and was a proud participant in the raid on the Los Banos Prison Camp which liberated 2147 civilian and military internees of the Japanese.

Returning home to Hoboken, Joe met and married Mayrose, his wife of 46 years and he didn’t regret a moment of his life with May and their family.  He retired from Roadway Trucking after 33 years and enjoyed a long retirement.  His hobby was golf and he was able to pursue that into his early nineties.  Joe also loved going to the Atlantic City casinos, where he and his brother Tony “had a ball”.  At the age of 97 Joe moved to an assisted living apartment at The Hermitage in Roanoke.  There he enjoyed telling jokes and singing Sinatra songs to the residents and staff alike.  He told everyone he spoke to of the wonderful care he was receiving and he was enjoying every minute of his stay.

Joseph is survived by his brother Anthony Lisa; daughters Joanne Lisa-Strauch & husband Otto; Jean Hirst; grandchildren, Kerry Pazienza, Jamie Hargis, Jodi Bruker, Fred Bruker IV, Vincent O’Rourke, Kelly Morton, Kathleen Miller; great-grandchildren, Ryan O’Rourke, Matt and Alex Morton, Jack and Corey Miller, Cooper, Avery & Fletcher Hargis and Gen LaSala; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, He is preceded in death by brothers Pat and Mike, sisters Carmella Iocca and Mary Pepe; stepson, Fred Bruker, daughter-in-law Linda Bruker; nephew Danny Lisa; great grandson Tyler O’Rourke.

A memorial service will be held on April 21, 2023, at The Hermitage-Roanoke, 10 am with Reverend Joe Cobb officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HermitageRoanoke.org for Team scholarships or the Samaritan fund.

A second memorial service will be held in New Jersey for family and friends, details TBD.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Roanoke, is assisting the family.  To send condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.