Joseph T. Lazzara, 87, worked in public transit
June 27, 2024
Joseph T. Lazzara of Willbrook died June 16 at Arbor Landing following a long-fought battle with Alzheimers, diabetes, kidney disease and Parkinson’s. He was 87.
He was born in Chicago, the son of Joseph and Josephine Lazzara. He earned an associate’s degree in accounting at Wright Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in management and developing organizations at DePaul University. Mr. Lazzara served the Chicago Transit Authority for 33 years in a variety of positions including senior project controller, where he was responsible for development and management of all projects related to buses, rail cars, construction, contracting, procurement contracting and environmental assessment.
Mr. Lazzara continued his transit career at the Proviso Council on Aging in Bellwood, Ill, where he was the transportation coordinator and managed the transit operation for elderly handicapped people, including training of employees and construction projects oversight.
After moving to Pawleys Island in 1998, he served on the board of Coast RTA while dabbling in retirement, enjoying the beaches and exercising his favorite sport: golf. He loved traveling and was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.
Mr. Lazzara, a devout Roman Catholic, served as an usher at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church and was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marlene; his children, Lynne Halper (Mark) of Murrells Inlet, Joseph G. Lazzara (Gail) of Georgetown, Joyce Lazzara (Tom) of Pawleys Island and Lori Lazzara of Pawleys Island; his grandchildren, Andrew Halper (Dana), Keely Halper, Jenna Toothaker (Brandon), Nicolette Lazzara, and Gabriella Lazzara; his great-grandchildren, Ava Lynn Halper, Adam Halper and Asher Halper; his sister, Mary DeVito of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; his brother-in-law, Frank Grzesik of Coral Springs, Fla.; his sister-in-law. Carol Addante (Louis) of Wheaton, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Another sister, Angela Grzesik, died before him.
Visitation will be held July 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Litchfield-Pawleys Chapel. The prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated July 20 at 10 a.m. at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church. The service will be live streamed at pbocchurch.com. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of South Carolina or Parkinsons Foundation, Carolinas Chapter
There is a guest book at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
