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 “Joe” 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.
Giuseppe is survived by his son, Lorenzo (Alissa) Colella of New Canaan, three daughters, Nancy Colella of Norwalk, Filomena (Jeffrey) Faucher of New Canaan, and Serra Colella of Norwalk. As well as a brother and two sisters Francesco Colella, Maria Colella, Catarina Colella of Italy and he is pre-deceased by his brother Benito Colella.
He is also survived by two grandchildren Carolyn Ann Faucher and Leo Aténogenes Colella.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 26th, 2018 at 11 AM at St Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, New Canaan followed by entombment in Lakeview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan on Friday, May 25th from 4 to 8 PM.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps. P.O. Box 598 New Canaan, CT 06840 For online condolences and directions please visit Hoyt Funeral Home.