Carl Joseph LaStella, 90 died unexpectedly from pneumonia after a short hospital stay. He was born on November 4, 1930 in Rochester, NY to immigrant parents Leonardo LaStella and Josephine (Amato) LaStella. As a child, Carl moved to Fresno, CA with his mother and brother after the death of his young father in 1935. His mother met and married his stepfather John Nocito, who helped her raise him and his brother. They would add two more brothers to the family. Carl graduated from Edison High School in 1949, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He joined the US Army in 1950 and served during the Korean War as an Artillery Sargent until he was Honorably Discharged in 1953. After his return, he met and married the love of his life Jennie Lou Reynolds of Miami, OK in September of 1954. They were happily married for 46 years, until her death in July of 2001.
Carl was a loyal member of The Muscular Dystrophy Association, serving a term as president, board member, and annual telethon coordinator. He was an avid golfer and belonged to Fort Washington Country Club. He was a member of both the Verdi Club and the Edison Social Club. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family at his cabin in Shaver Lake making wonderful memories. He was also an extremely talented wood carver, and an animal lover.
He was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Jennie LaStella, and their son Carl LaStella.
He is survived by his daughters Jo Anne LaStella-Souza of Roswell, NM and Jennifer LaStella of Fresno, CA. His grandchildren Jared Carl LaStella of Santa Fe Springs, CA, Anthony Carl Souza of Roswell, NM, Jaime Grantham and Jenna Rainaldi of Fresno, CA, and Jessica LaStella of Lubbock, TX. His great grandchildren Tristin LaStella, Aspen Grantham, Emily Souza, and Eric Souza. He also leaves behind his brothers Jack LaStella of Fresno, John Nocito, Jr of Boise, ID, and Joseph Nocito, Sr of Fresno, CA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in the US and in Italy. He will also be missed by his oldest and dearest friend John W. Walsh. Carl was the beloved patriarch of his family and an extraordinary human being who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.
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