Obituary of Aldric J. LaPorte

LaPorte, Aldric Joseph (Buzz) Freeland, Michigan Aldric Joseph (Buzz) LaPorte, age 83, of Freeland, Michigan passed away on October 7, 2018, after battling severe dementia and other health issues. He was born to Virgil Arthur and Margaret Kavanaugh LaPorte on May 28, 1935. Buzz graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1953, in Bay City, Michigan, and attended Bay City Junior College and other universities in Minnesota and Florida. Buzz is survived by his children, Andrew J. (Beth), Elizabeth A. (Vanessa), and Brian P. of Michigan and his two stepsons, Steven W. (Cindy), and Brian D. of Minnesota; grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota; siblings Helen (Jack), Tom (Mimi), and Lynn (Fred) of Michigan, Mike of Arizona, and Marty of Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Larry (Barb) of Michigan. Buzz served in the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve, and the Naval Reserve. He was involved in the Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, Alcoholics Anonymous (over 40 years) and Lakeview Methodist Church in Hertel, Wisconsin. He was a principal in the LaPorte's Shoe business in Bay City, MI with his father Virgil, and his two brothers, Larry and Tom; moved to Florida where he worked as a counselor and teacher, and later retired to Hertel, Wisconsin. Buzz loved the outdoors, fishing and puttering around the property in Northwest Wisconsin in his famous white boots. He had the gift of gab, sponsored many lost souls, never turned down pie or cake, should have invested in duct tape (his preferred repair tool) and loved being around people. Buzz made lots of friends at Stone Crest Assisted living, in Freeland, MI, where he has lived for over a year with excellent, caring staff. Buzz will be interred next to Donna Mae LaPorte, his wife who preceded him in death (1935-2017), at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin. He and Donna were longtime members of the Lakeview Church. Memorials are preferred to Stone Crest Assisted Living (Freeland, MI), Residential Hospice (Lapeer, MI), or Lakeview Methodist Church (Hertel, WI). The family will hold a private service at a date to be determined.