Joseph ‘Joe the Barber’ Laquale passed away Friday, September 27, 2024, at Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was 81 years of age. Joe was the beloved husband of Elaine A. (Massa) Laquale to whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Stornara, Italy, he was a son of the late Savino and Grazia (Nappi) Laquale, Joe's birth mother, and Maria Nicola Russo Laquale, Joe's stepmother.
Joe owned and operated Joe’s Barbershop for over 60 years in the Oakland Beach neighborhood of Rhode Island. He was passionate about his work and the friendships he cultivated over the years with his customers. When Joe wasn’t working, he enjoyed gardening, carpentry, trains and in recent years had become a car enthusiast with a special interest in Corvettes. For many years, he and Elaine loved to ‘snowbird’ at their home in Florida. Joe will be forever remembered as a devoted family man who was fun to be around and loved above all else to spend time with his sons and their families.
He was the devoted father of Joseph V. Laquale, John D. Laquale (wife, Trish) and David M. Laquale (fiancée, Lisa Donovan); cherished ‘Papa Joe’ of David J. Laquale, Alessandro V. Laquale, Claudio L. Laquale and Mariana S. Laquale. He was the brother of the late Vito, Rocco, Vito and Michele ‘Mike’ Laquale and is survived by Gerardo ‘Gerry’ Laquale (wife, Amelia), Vincent Laquale (wife Maria) and sisters-in-law Franca and Giuseppina. He was also a devoted uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews in America and Italy.
Joe will be missed tremendously by all those who had the privilege to know and love him. They will keep his famous one-liners and witty quips with them forever.
His funeral will be held Friday, October 4, 2024, at 8:30am from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Burial with military honors will follow at RI Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Thursday 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959, will be appreciated.
