Joseph Anthony Lao, 71, died peacefully on Sunday, January 13, 2019, at Waterbury Hospital surrounded by family and close friends.
Born on April 19, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, he was the son of the late Anthony Joseph Lao and Lucy Murgalo Lao. His parents relocated the family from the Bronx to Norwalk in 1978 where they lived for the next 28 years. Joseph was very endearing, friendly and loved by all who knew him and was unofficially known as the “Mayor of Norwalk”. Over the years he held various jobs. He lived in Heritage Village in Southbury since 2005.
Joseph is survived by his two nieces Carol Schneider and Donna Schneider, originally from Norwalk, now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased in life by his only sibling, sister Theresa Schneider.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 17, at 12:00 Noon at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road, Norwalk. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday, January 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk.