Obituary of Joseph La Placa

JOE LA PLACA Joe La Placa, a pioneer in the history of Lake Havasu City, died on August 16, 2012. He was 83 years old. Joe was born in New York City on June 26, 1929,and moved to Arizona in 1976. In 1985 he established the first Seaplane Training school and as a FAA certified Flight instructor, Joe provided the opportunity for students from all over the world to obtain their seaplane ratings. Among his many accomplishments as a pilot and instructor were his being named Flight Instructor of the year in 1985 and again in 1991, and Flight Instructor of the Year for the Western Pacific Region in 1985. He won the Ruth Reinholt Safety award in 2003, and in 2005 he was was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. Aviation and music were Joe's passion. As a professional musician he performed with many other musicians who became his lifelong friends. He loved his family, cherished his friends and always had a great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Jean, five children; Paul, LouAnn, Joanne, Christine and Peter, his sister Christina Wilhelm, and two step- children Toni and David Sheppard. His extended family includes eight grand children and five great grand children. We wish to thank the hospice members and staff at the Polidori House for their loving, caring support. In lieu of flowers donations in Joe's memory may be made to Hospice of Havasu for the Polidori House Arrangements for the scattering of his ashes are being planned. Joe was a gentle man with a big heart. Fly high quiet bird. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Joe's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.