Joseph F. Prato

Joseph Frank Prato, 76, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 5:18 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2015. Mr. Prato was born April 13, 1939 in Newark, NJ, where he was raised. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp for four years and then worked as a welder and in sheet metal fabrication. He later worked as a General Contractor for Ginsburg Corp and Clementina Construction. Mr. Prato moved to Lake Charles, LA in 2005. He worked for St. Patrick Hospital in the maintenance department and then for the U.S. Marshal's Office. He was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Mr. Prato was an avid hunter and also enjoyed boating, fishing, and traveling. He was a handyman and will always be remembered for his jokes. He always put others before himself and was willing to help anyone in need. Mr. Prato is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Dr. Esperanza Prato; sons, Joseph "Joey" Prato of Waxahachie, TX and Dr. Arnell Prato and Chris Rado of Tacoma, WA; daughters, Sha-Lee Prato of Arlington, TX and Elisa R. Joergle and husband Glenn of Montague, NJ; sister, Susan Karl and husband Alfred Karl, Sr. of Port Reading, NJ; grandchildren, Halle and Owen Joergle and Connor Rado; along with a host of other grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his beloved dogs, Champ and Prince. He was greeted in heaven by his trusted K-9 companion, Lady. His memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 20, 2015 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Father Jeffrey Starkovich will officiate. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday at the funeral home from 8:00 AM to 9:40 AM.