Joseph J. La Paglia

Peacefully Joseph John La Paglia of Dundalk, MD loving husband of Anna Cecilia La Paglia (nee Evans) and loving father of five daughters passed away in his sleep on Thanksgiving morning 11/26/2015. As he was fondly referred to; Mr. Joe owned and operated Joe’s Shoe Repair on North Belnord Avenue in Baltimore City from 1962 until his retirement in July 2000. He was often referred to as “the Mayor of Belnord Avenue” and had a huge customer following. He volunteered at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in the Physical Therapy department for 10 years. He coached girls’ softball for the Eastfield Stanbrook Recreational Council for many years and helped establish the first girls Flag Football team. Mr. Joe had the privilege of taking his team to Memorial Stadium and the girls played during halftime of a Baltimore Colts game. In 1976 he received a Citizen Award for administering CPR and saving a neighbor’s life. In 2006 he was given the honor of the “Outstanding Student Award” from the Baltimore Chapter of Literacy Works. Finally Mr. Joe was an active member of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Dundalk where he was a Eucharist Minister and Usher for many years. He volunteered weekly at FutureCare Northpoint and gave communion to the residents. He is survived by his five daughters; Kathy Bender and her husband Mike, Linda Schatz and her husband Stephen, Deborah Heaps and her husband Michael, Lisa Scowden and her husband Walter and Susan Costa. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer Reid and her husband Eddie, Kristy Koenig and her husband William, Mike Bender, Jr. and his wife Sara, Steven Kalinski and his late wife Carrie, Ryan Bender and his wife Stephanie, Matthew Gracey and his girlfriend Elizabeth Price, Lauren Czawlytko and her husband Steven, Walter Scowden III and his financée Blair Schammel, Daniel Costa and his girlfriend Kate Woods, Adam Scowden and his girlfriend Sarah Chetelat, Amy Costa and her boyfriend George Denton, Gregory Scowden and his girlfriend Leanne Jewell. Mr. La Paglia had nine great grandchildren, Ethan and Liam Bender, Henry, Edison and Raymund Reid, William Koenig IV, Mason and Madison Czawlytko and Colton Bender. The family will receive friends at the CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME of DUNDALK, 7110 Sollers Point Rd. on Wednesday 2-4 & 6-8 pm. A mass to celebrate Joe’s life will be held on Thursday 10am at Our Lady of Hope Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Our Lady of Hope Church, 1727 Lynch Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222.