Anthony Joseph LaCotti Jr.'s Obituary
Anthony "Joe" LaCotti, 86 of Sebring, FL passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023. He was born June 30, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland to Anthony J. LaCotti Sr. and Cecila LaCotti.
He started as a carpenter helper and worked to become a Master Carpenter. He worked at the trade for 50 Years. He served in the military from 1957 through 1960 where he received an honorable discharge.
He and his wife, Lisa moved to Sebring in 2007 and were very involved with ballroom and square dancing. He served as president with the Dor Lin Dance Studio and the Star Lighter Square Dance Club.
For more than ten years Joe and Lisa were avid shuffleboard players with the Recreation Club Sebring where they not only played but volunteered their time and effort.
In 2010 he began his involvement with Highlands Little Theatre, also known as Highlands Lakeside Theatre, using his master carpentry skills constructing award winning sets for many of the HLT productions. He received numerous Zenon awards and was responsible for sets including a Little Women; Les Miserables; Dixie Swim Club; I Love you, Your Perfect, Now Change; Arsenic and Old Lace; To Kill a Mockingbird; Steel Magnolias; Hairspray; and Ring of Fire. He served as Chairman of the HLT Stage and Shop Committee for many years.
Lisa and Joe were married for 62 years. For the last five years, Joe took gentle care of her as she succumbed to the dementia. Their love was poignant and deep. When they would sing together, You Are My Sunshine, Lisa would look adoringly at him. She remembered the words even until the last days of her life. He loved her unconditionally and whole-heartedly.
The past year was very difficult for Joe. His hip and heart surgery took a toll on him. And after her death, his physical, emotional and mental pain was unbearable.
Joe was well loved by friends and family. We are not sure he knew how much.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Lisa LaCotti. He is survived by his sisters, Catherine Meryl Noonen and Wilma Passpae, his niece, Ute Hummer and nephews Bernd Hummer, his nephew Joe Passpae and wife, Diana Passpae. His best friends were Fred Collins and Suzanne Schilffarth who loved him dearly.
There will be a celebration of life memorial service 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens 854 S Memorial Dr, Avon Park, FL 33825.
What’s your fondest memory of Anthony?
What’s a lesson you learned from Anthony?
Share a story where Anthony's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Anthony you’ll never forget.
How did Anthony make you smile?
