Sturbridge: Richard R. "Dick" Laporte, 79, on Thursday, July 22 ^nd , our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many was called home to be with the Blessed Mother Mary for whom he had a great devotion.

Dick is survived by his cherished wife of 59 years Jane (Gaumond) Laporte, whom he first met in first grade. He will be greatly missed by his two sons and daughter and their spouses, Steven & Kathleen (Desrosiers) Laporte of Milford, MA; Russell & Christine (Bonin) Laporte of Webster, MA; and Brenda & Sean LeBlanc of Ashland, MA, as well as his three grandsons Nathan Laporte & his fiancé Jacqueline Chu; Jeremy Laporte; Gregory Laporte; and one granddaughter, Samantha LeBlanc. He also leaves his sister Marie Lavallee, one nephew and four nieces, two aunts, Gertrude Parenteau and Theresa Parenteau and several special cousins. His children and grandchildren were his eternal pride and joy and he would often say how blessed he was by God to have his family, and extensive circle of friends, some recent and many for over fifty years. Dick was born in Southbridge the son of the late Raoul and Marie (Parenteau) Laporte.

Dick began his 30 year career as a butcher at the age of fourteen at Big Bunny Market, where he met Henry Palmerino who would be enormously influential on his life as a friend and supporter. He also pursued several different entrepreneurial ventures and other roles up to the time of his retirement. Dick never refused anyone who needed help and would consistently volunteer at his children's school events and in support of his Parishes, most recently as an altar server at St Anne's in Sturbridge, MA.  He was also an avid golfer.

The Laporte family would like to recognize and thank the medical professionals and their staffs who provided him with compassionate and exceptional care over the last few years, Dr. Andrey Sayko; Dr. John Tumolo; and Dr. Mona Kaddis and her staff at the Dana Farber Cancer Center, with a special thanks to Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc and Bryan Mcginn, our visiting nurse, as well as volunteer Bruce Joy who provided great care and comfort to Dick and the family during the last few months.

Lastly, we want to thank all of the prayer lines and individuals who prayed and kept Dick in their daily thoughts.  This was always a great comfort to the family during these difficult times.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 28 ^th , from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 10:00am in St. Anne Church, 16 Church St., Sturbridge. Burial in New Notre Dame Cemetery, Southbridge, will be held at the convenience of the family.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Tuesday, July 27 ^th , from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, an organization that held a special significance to Dick.