Obituary of Joseph P. Laing

Joseph P. Laing  was born into eternal life on Tuesday, July 16th.  He passed peacefully in his home in Whiting, NJ.  

Joe was born in Montclair, grew up in West Orange and lived in Manhattan and Upstate New York, before moving to Whiting.  He graduated from Mountain High School, attended Bloomfield Tech and studied at Essex County Community College.

The family will greet people from 9AM-9:45AM on Saturday, August 3rd at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange. A Memorial Mass will follow at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private. 

Joe, aka the “Boxcar,” was a big guy with a big life that led him to pursue numerous careers.  He worked as a Code Enforcement Officer in Upstate NY; an Audio Engineer/Mixer/ Producer at 20/20 ABC Network, and music venues such as Manny’s Car Wash and Lone Star Cafe;  a Production Engineer at S.P.Q.R;  an Owner of two restaurants, Ricci’s Two and the EAT; a Production Technician at Manhattan Audio Video and a Police Officer with Essex County Park Police.  However, music was his lifelong passion and a guitar was his constant companion. A notebook, sheet of paper, napkin or whatever had to be close at hand to record a lyric when inspiration would strike. Joe released a CD “Boxfull of Blues,” and  was inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.

Whether behind a camera, soundboard, microphone or the wheel of a police car, he never missed a beat and always had a joke or a story at the ready. Through his many jobs, Joe traveled across the country and was amazed by the beauty of the natural world.  He made friends wherever he went.  He had a special place in his heart for the woods in Upstate NY and the beaches of the Islands and the Jersey Shore. He loved to grow, cook and eat delicious food. 

Joe was predeceased by his parents, William and Alma and sisters Rene and Colleen.  He will be missed by his surviving siblings: William, Mary, James and Alma and his many nieces, nephews and friends. 

The family thanks the Visiting Nurses, Physicians and all who cared for Joe during these last few years.