Giuseppe “Joe” Colella, age 77, a resident of New Canaan for over 45 years died Tuesday May 22nd, 2018. Born in Marcanise, Province of Caserta, Italy October 30, 1940, he was the son of the late Lorenzo Colella and Annuziata Iuliana. He was the husband of the late Annunziata Gaudino Colella. Giuseppe, or Joe as he was best known, was the founder and longtime proprietor of New Canaan’s first Pizzeria, the eponymously named, “Joe’s Pizzeria” on Locust Avenue. As a new immigrant to the United States, Joe pursued a number of jobs including working in a fireworks factory in Pennsylvania and painting a number of iconic Stamford landmarks upon moving to Connecticut. A fateful job at Roma Pizza in Stamford, CT led to a passion for food service and the opening of his own business in nearby New Canaan. Joe and his wife, Nancy, soon became fixtures of New Canaan as they grew their business and raised their 4 children in town. His dedication to hospitality and caring expressed through the sharing of food made Joe’s Pizza one of the top restaurants in Fairfield County. His generosity and larger than life personality is still fondly recalled by his family and many customers. Continue Reading →
