A funeral mass was offered Oct. 5 at St. Francis R.C. Church in Hoboken for Joseph Salvatore La Polla, 97. “The Renaissance Man” of Hoboken, formerly of Mulberry Street in Little Italy, New York, passed away at his daughter’s Hoboken home peacefully in the presence of his family on Oct. 1. Mr. La Polla was a retired cab driver for New York City for many years. Joseph would have celebrated his 98th birthday on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Born in New York City, he was a resident of Roselle, for a short time, and lived more than 70 years in Manhattan, moving to Hoboken in 1998 with his wife Louise, now deceased. He was also predeceased by 10 siblings and a daughter Lana and her husband Patrick Cicala. Surviving are his two daughters, Emily Lisa and Gaynell Jacobelli and their husbands Charles and Gino. He strongly influenced his five grandchildren, Sam, Hoboken Police Officer Gino, Lisa, Benny, and Joseph, and their 12 children. Also surviving is one sister Theresa Sosnoski.
Mr. La Polla attended Pace College in New York City at the age of 16 and spoke five languages fluently. He was very much respected by many of the businessmen and lifelong residents of Little Italy for his astute work ethic and family rearing. Joseph also played cameo roles in the famous movies, “A Bronx Tale” and “Donnie Brasco.” He loved culture, enjoyed the opera, ballet and plays, but his greatest role in life was that he was a hands on father and husband. Services arranged by the Failla Memorial Home, Hoboken.