Joseph Foto, Jr.

Joseph Foto Jr., a proud World War II veteran and cherished member of the Mandeville community, passed away peacefully at home on July 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 99 years old.

Born on November 15, 1925, in New Orleans to Joseph and Lena Rouse Foto Sr., Joe was raised in the heart of the French Quarter by his Sicilian parents on Bourbon and Dumaine. His early years were shaped by the family’s fruit stand, Stall #1 in the French Market, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance. In 1932, the family opened a new stand at 834 Bourbon Street.

Joe graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1943, where he lettered in basketball and helped lead the team to city and state championships in 1942 and 1943. Answering the call of duty, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in December 1943. As an aerial gunner and photographer on a B-24 in the 15th Air Force, 459 Bomb Group. Sergeant Joseph Foto flew 18 combat missions over Germany, Italy, and Poland. On his 13th mission, his plane was disabled, forcing him to bail out over Yugoslavia. Missing in action for 50 days, he survived a harrowing trek across the snow-covered Dinaric Alps to safety. Joe later returned to combat duty until the war’s end. His incredible story was featured in the book Lost Airmen by Charles Stanley.

After the war, Joe used the G.I. Bill to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Loyola University in 1950. When the Korean War broke out, he once again served his country, this time as a Staff Sergeant at the Louisiana Military District Headquarters.

Throughout his life, Joe wore many hats. He owned and operated Harry’s Place and Foto’s Lounge in Arabi, served as a Justice of the Peace in St. Bernard Parish from 1960 to 1964, and later retired as a District Administrator for the Office of Rehabilitation Services in New Orleans in 1987.

Joe married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Ruffino, who also grew up in the French Quarter. Together, they raised five children and shared 50 years of marriage before Mary Jane’s passing in 2000. Joe later moved to the Northshore, where he married his second wife, Agnes Baudier. They spent the last two decades together in Mandeville.

As a devout Catholic, Joe was a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church where he donated a beautiful mosaic of the Blessed Mother, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, and formerly served as an usher at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Arabi. He was also active in the Mandeville Council on Aging, where he organized monthly dances, and was a proud member of the Contessa Entellina Society, which honored him as Man of the Year in 2007.

Age never slowed Joe down. He competed in the Senior Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in table tennis at the St. Tammany Tournament in 2007 and later capturing the state championship in Baton Rouge in the 80–84 age group.

To say Joe lived a full life is an understatement. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished his family above all. He loved golf, dancing, and sharing stories from a life well-lived. His legacy of courage, resilience, and love will live on in all who knew him. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lena Rouse Foto Sr.; his first wife of 50 years, Mary Jane Ruffino Foto; and his siblings Philip, John, Louis, Angelia, Rosalie, and Conchetta. Joe is survived by his wife of 20 years, Agnes Foto; his children Charles (Gwen) Foto, Lynn (Gene) Gurtner, Frank Foto, Joseph Foto III, and Terri (Chad) Williams; his grandchildren Jessica Foto, Erica Foto (Sammy Rodriguez), Kayla (Thomas) Cato, Caleigh Foto (Anthony Mocklin), Brett (Kathleen) Thorne Jr., and Alexandra (Austin) Merz; and his great-grandchildren Katelynne Plaideau, Charlotte Cato, Lillian Cato, Madison Cato, Audrey Merz, and Aubrey Thorne. As well as Agnes’ children, Susan (Greg) Igleharte, Lisa (Chip) Estopinal, Gretchen (Joe) Gristina, Chip (Torri) LaBruzzo, Joby (Rachel) LaBruzzo, Stacey (Chris) Monaghan, John (Brandi) LaBruzzo, and Jami LaBruzzo; her 21 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of extended family and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Visitation will be held July 17th, 2025 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington, LA 70433. A Catholic Mass will follow from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Graveside Services with Military Honors to follow at St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.