Joseph Isolani

On Monday, August 16, 2021 Joseph E (Ed) Isolani, Loving husband, father and grandfather, was called by the Lord at the age of 72.
He was born in New Orleans on December 18, 1948 to Dr. JJ Isolani and Leila Louitza Isolani, both predeceased. He is survived by two sisters, Jovonna (Reuben) Gegenheimer and Anita (Dave) Kasper. They were raised in St. Charles Parish Louisiana Where his father was a pediatrician and his mother a contractor and real estate broker.
Ed was a member of the first graduating class of Archbishop Shaw high school in 1966. He received degrees in psychology and political science from Nicholls State University in 1971 and  went directly to work for the state of Louisiana. On July 22, 1978 he married the love of his life, Mary Jewell Isolani of New Orleans. They raised two children, Katherine (Brent Thompson)and Michael, In Prairieville Louisiana where they lived for 18 years. Ed retired from the State of Louisiana in 2000 after 28 years of service  and promptly assumed the Director’s position with AMI Kids, a school for troubled youth in New Port Richey,Fl.  After 8 successful and rewarding years there, Ed retired again. To keep busy, he got his real estate license and began selling commercial property for the Krauss Organization. A true Renaissance man,
Ed was passionate about many things. He was an active member of the New port Richey Rotary club. Every Christmas he delighted in playing one of the Rotary Santas distributing gifts to children less fortunate. he also volunteered his time and talent to the CARES organization of New Port Richey Florida by joining the weekly jam sessions for the local senior population's enjoyment.  In 2013, he and some like-minded friends founded the Friends of the Hacienda , an organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of the city of New Port Richey, in particular the Hacienda Hotel (which was built in 1926 and had fallen into disrepair). Because of this group, the Hacienda is expected to reopen at the end of this year. Over the years he spent many hours with his hobbies leaving beauty for everyone to enjoy - his pen and ink art, his multiple blue ribbon winning carved duck decoys, and boxes of jewelry he made from semi-precious stones, fossilized seashells, and metals. The walls echo the sounds of his beautiful guitars propped there. He also spent time crafting and manufacturing Cosmic Cajun Universal Seasoning, another proud accomplishment . After 18 years of fun in the sun, Ed wanted to move home to be close to his children and grandsons, (Zion and Ridge) and to grow his own food in his own garden. Some of his greatest pleasures included farming, fishing, hunting, being a rotary Santa, creating beautiful things with  his hands, playing the guitar (especially the times he got to play with John McEuen of the NGDB) , spending time with his children and grandchildren, his dog (Lilly )and his wife, Mary.  He was genuinely interested in people and their stories and was always quick with his wit, endearing him to everyone. He will be greatly missed by all.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bagnell & Son Funeral Home 75212 Hwy 437 Covington, Louisiana 70435 with visitation from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made  to the Rotary Club of NPR, FL
c/o Brenda Glass
5562  Bowline Bend
New Port Richey, Florida 34652