Joseph E. Laporte

Obituary Joseph E. LaPorte Joseph E LaPorte was born in San Francisco May 1, 1921 to Lawrence Joseph LaPorte and Mary Viola McNulty. He passed away peacefully on February 5, 2015 with Karen and the girls helping till the very end. A Bellarmine graduate of 1941, Joe served in World War II, was a train engineer on Northern Pacific Railroad for 40 years, with the last two years on Amtrak until he retired in 1986. He volunteered as Historical Interpretive Guide on the Amtrak Coast Starlite, Knights of Columbus, St. Charles, BN West CU, and TOA Commodore. Joe met Karen Peterson on a Milwaukee Ski Train and they were married on May 26, 1951. Joe's love of skiing inspired him to teach others, and he started up Totem, TNT and Cascade Ski Schools, and taught his girls to snow and waterski at a young age. Dad and Mom enjoyed many trips with Discovery Bus Tours and outings with Overland RV Club. He grew up with his brothers Don, Bob, Laurie, Dennis, Pierre, and Tim, and sisters Mary and MaryAnn. He is survived by Karen (Catherine) his wife of 63 years, Carrie Kay, Connie (Tom) McCormick, Carole (Scott) Shelton, Chris (Rick) Snell, Cindy (Jim) Cochran, and Cherrie LaPorte. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Mandy, Nathan, Rania, Kayla, Jessica, Ben, Dana, Ryan, and Jared, and three great-grandchildren, Iliana Rivera, Annmarie, and John Thomas McCormick. Joe's Celebration of Life is 11:00 on Thursday, February 12th, at St Charles Borromeo Church, with reception to follow. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, and interment at Calvary Cemetery. Condolences at www.gaffneycares.com Many thanks to Dr. Vance's office and Oncology NW at St. Joseph's.