John Joseph Lapolla, 92, a lifelong resident of New Canaan, passed away peacefully Friday, August 12, 2016 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was the widower of Kathleen (Brown) Lapolla. John was born in New Canaan on April 21, 1924, son of the late Charles and Teresina (Venezia) Lapolla. John served in the United States Army from 1943 – 1946, stationed in England where he met his wife Kathleen Brown Lapolla of 67 years. He was a bugler, worked in the hospital and was on the social committee to help the wounded soldiers. John was the co-owner and then sole owner of New Canaan Lawn Equipment for almost 50 years where he continued to work until the age of 88. John was very active within the New Canaan community where he lived and worked since birth. He played the trumpet in the New Canaan Town Band and marched in the annual Memorial Day parade for 65 years. He was a volunteer fireman with the New Canaan Fire Department for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus , The New Canaan Old Timer’s Association and the Swamp Hollow Club. John loved all sports, but most of all baseball and he was a big Boston Red Sox Fan. He was an avid bowler and golfer and loved to go to Mohegan Sun. Like his father, Charles Lapolla who owned Lapolla Florist, John had a love for his vegetable garden in which he spent many hours, inventing different ways to make it flourish the best he could. He would share all of his freshly picked vegetables and fruits with many of his friends and family. John is remembered by family and friends as a creative, hard-working and entertaining guy who could always make people laugh. John is survived by a son John Richard Lapolla of New Canaan, two daughters, Donna Gargon of Boca Raton, Florida, Janet Bacco of Myrtle Beach South Carolina, his sister Phyllis Walsh of Naples, Florida, eight grandchildren, Stacey Cleary, Robin Dropkin, Jonathan Bacco, Mark Gargon, Jr., James Bacco, Kristina Bacco, Vincent Lapolla and Kathleen Lapolla, six great grandchildren Alex Franzen, Austin Dropkin, Madison Dropkin, Cody Dropkin ,Sarah Cleary and Emily Cleary as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Louis and Charles Lapolla. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 19 at Hoyt Funeral Home 199 Main St., New Canaan, CT at 11:00 AM. Burial will be private. Friends may call on Thursday August 18 from 4:00pm-8:00pm at the funeral home. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to help offset the medical expenses of John’s great-nephew Christopher Tarzia, c/o of his mother Sally Lapolla Tarzia, 6109 Old Hartley Place, Glen Allen, VA 23060 Thursday August 18, 2016 , 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Hoyt Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Friday August 19, 2016 , 11:00AM at Hoyt Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions