Joseph Matthew Lanza

Joseph Matthew Lanza passed away on Friday, September 4, 2015 in his Lake Charles home. He was 84. Born October 7, 1930 in San Jose, CA to Michael and Josephine Lanza, "Joe" graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1949 and attended McNeese State University, where he played the trumpet in the marching band. In 1952, he graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and married his high school sweetheart, Florence Meyer Lanza. Following graduation, he entered his father's electrical contracting business, Lake Charles Electric, and served as secretary/treasurer and general manager. He also continued his involvement with his father's other business ventures including Twin Gables Restaurant and Lanza Enterprises, a commercial construction company. He was a respected electrician and served on the electrical review board for the City of Lake Charles. Joe was the owner and namesake of Joseph's Electrical Center, a lighting showroom and electrical supply house that was the 1973 extension of Lake Charles Electric, which began in 1929. He grew the business to be the trusted source for lighting and electrical advice, fixtures and electrical supplies in Lake Charles, and the business continues today. Joe loved to dance and could always be found on the dance floor at any party or event. However, he was possibly best known for his love of fishing and his innate ability to know exactly where to catch fish on any given day. He was a past Commodore and life-long member of the Calcasieu Boat Club and served on the board of directors for the Southwest Louisiana Fishing Club. The Big Lake Invitational Fishing Tournament named him Sportsman of the Year twice. He was also a past Outstanding Angler of the Year and was a winner at many other fishing tournaments throughout his life. Joe was a charter member of Krewe de la Famille and served as President of the Board of Directors for 22 years. He also was the Krewe's first honoree of the President's Award for Outstanding Service. In addition to his dedication to the Krewe, he served as President and on the Board of Directors of Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu for several years. He helped organize the Mardi Gras Museum and also served on its board of directors. As recognition of his service to Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras, he was named Grand Marshall of the Lake Charles Merchant's Parade in 1993. He was a long-time board member of the Homebuilder's Association of Southwest Louisiana and a member of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church parish, where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association and was a past-president of the Better Business Bureau of Southwest Louisiana. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife of 63 years, Flo; his daughter, Vicki Lanza LeDoux; his sons, Randy (Bob), Ricky (Sue), Danny (Jane), and Joey (Lorren); six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Lana Lanza Roberts. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Camille, his brother Anthony and his oldest son, Dr. Michael Lanza. The family expresses its most sincere gratitude to Diane and LaShonda from SouthernCare Hospice, and especially to his caregiver Linda Flott, for their devotion, care, laughter and friendship over the past several months. Visitation will be on Monday at Johnson Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. with a scripture service at 6:30 p.m. and will continue on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, with a burial service immediately following at Consolata Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu at 809 Kirby St., #229, Lake Charles, LA 70601.