Boston (WSYR-TV) – Former New York State Fair official Joe LaGuardia has passed away at the Boston University Medical Center where he was being treated for a blood disorder.
LaGuardia was with the State Fair for more than three decades as the popular event’s marketing director, booking concerts and handling publicity.
"Joe was the leader in the industry, there's no question about it. And if you know Joe, it's because he cared and he knew his job,” said former State Fair Director Peter Cappuccilli, a close friend of LaGuardia. "This is not only a tremendous loss for his family and friends, but a tremendous loss for the community. Joe did so much in the community. He was active in so much and he just made it a better place to live in Syracuse."
After leaving his position at the Fair in 2007, he was hired by the Syracuse Lakefront Development Corp.
The Syracuse resident was 63. He was very active in the community, serving on a number of institutions' boards.
He leaves behind his mother, his wife, their three children, and their three grandchildren.
