Joseph A. Lalli, 91, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 12, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. Son of the late Michele and Mary (Vietri) Lalli, both born in Italy, Joseph was born May 6, 1926 in Newport, RI.
He is previously deceased by his three brothers Francis Lalli, William Lalli and Michael Lalli Jr, as well as his four sisters Eleanor (Paduano), Clementine Lalli, Marie (O’Malley) and the beautiful Rose Celeste Lalli, who passed away in her senior year at Rogers High School.
Joseph is survived by his soulmate, Barbara J. (Ring) Lalli, his wife of 65 years, the most beautiful and wonderful person there is; his two sons Joseph (wife Suzanne) and Steven; his grandchildren Gilda, Alexandra, Johanna and Jay (fiancé Harlee).
He graduated from Rogers High School in 1944 and from Providence College in 1951 with a BA degree. He taught mathematics at Rogers for 30 years and helped open the new Rogers in 1957. He also taught at Coggeshall Elementary School for 2 years under the great Leo Connerton. Joseph served in World War II as well as the Korean War aboard the USS Jack W. Wilke EDE 800 as a LTJG.
Joseph liked to take long walks and listen to the great jazz pianist Errol Garner. He also enjoyed doing fiendish sudoku puzzles. His favorite teams were the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics and, most of all, THE New York Football Giants. Joseph was a noted statistician for a weekly competition held each fall at Rogers High School for over 40 years.
He was the coach of the golf team at Rogers for 20 years. One of his players was Patrick H. Horgan III, who later was on the PGA Tour and the PGA Senior Tour. Also on the golf team was Charlie Hayes, who won the Rhode Island State Amateur Championship.
There will be a private memorial service with his immediate family members.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to The Hillside Charitable Organization Inc., 86 Bayview Park, Middletown, RI 02842.
