Obituary of Joseph Edward Labrozzi

Joseph Edward Labrozzi, of Erie, passed away from lung cancer on Monday, January 16, 2017, at Saint Vincent Hospital, surrounded by friends and family. He was born in Erie on Feb. 9, 1951, the son of the late Joseph and Norma (Fox) Labrozzi, of Erie. After graduating from Technical Memorial High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea for two years as a heavy equipment repair specialist. He owned Labrozzi Auto on Cherry Street for 19 years and spent the last 20 years of his career as a senior claims adjuster at specialized insurance companies dealing in high-end motor homes, buses and RVs. He married Micheline (Succi) Labrozzi on Sept. 3, 2000, and they lived in Davenport, Fla., and Akron, Ohio, for the past 13 years. When he wasn't playing golf, Joe was watching it on TV. An emissary of the sport, Joe would encourage beginners that the struggle was worth the effort, that the fun was there to be discovered in every flubbed shot, even to the point of “loaning” a set of clubs to a friend that he knew he'd never ask for back. Joe's job as a senior claims adjuster also brought him in contact with not only golfers but also country musicians and rock stars. Joe was a man of few words, but those few words held sway. You'd bend forward to hear them because, unlike a lot of conversations, they'd actually say something. He was also a great kidder – but only if he liked you. Sometimes, the jokes were so inside or subtle that they often didn't hit their target immediately upon impact. His impish smile, however, would give it all away. Joe was a fan of the Cleveland Indians and was thrilled when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship. Since Joe was a man of few words, we won't say anything about the Browns. Joe also loved Erie. He and his wife spent nine years in Florida and four years in Ohio. Joe was content wherever he was but not truly where he needed to be. When asked why he didn't like Akron, Joe said, “Because it's not Erie.” Now, Joe's finally home. He is survived by his wife, Micheline (Succi) Labrozzi; his children, Joseph Labrozzi and his wife, Stacie, of Winchester, Va., and his daughter, Lisa Scarantino, and her husband, William, of Erie; his brothers, Allen (Patricia), Mark (Toni) and Matthew Labrozzi; his grandchildren, Maria Scarantino and Danielle and Nicholas Labrozzi; his nephews, John Simon and Drew Clayton; his sister-in-law, Lorraine Clayton; and many close friends. Friends are invited to call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Friday from 6 to 8 pm. Closing prayers will follow. Memorial contributions may be designated to the family in care of the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home.