Thomas A. LaPorte

Thomas Anthony LaPorte, Sr. passed away at 11:40 pm on December 6, 2015 in Baton Rouge at the age of 90. He was a native of Plaquemine, LA and an 84 year resident of Baton Rouge. Thomas was a lifelong grocer. He was with Enterprise Market and Grocery until its closure in 1975. Subsequently, he joined Food Systems of Louisiana until his retirement. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at St. Agnes Catholic Church on East Boulevard. Visitation at the church will be from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. A Mass of Christian burial co-celebrated by Monsignor Robert H. Berggreen and Reverend Charbel Jamhoury will begin at 12:30 pm. Entombment will follow immediately in Greenoaks Memorial Mausoleum. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His love of family and friends was of greatest importance to him. He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Anna Mae Cascio LaPorte. He is also survived by daughter JoAnn LaPorte Lappin (widow of the late Dr. Harris A. Lappin) of Baton Rouge, daughter Lynn LaPorte Samuels and son-in-law Stewart E. Samuels of Alamo, CA, son Thomas A. LaPorte, Jr. and daughter-in-law Melanie Ruiz LaPorte of Baton Rouge; brother-in-law Joseph D. Cascio of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three grandchildren: Mark Lappin, Rachel LaPorte, and Rebecca LaPorte, all of Baton Rouge; two step-grandchildren and their spouses: Nathan Lappin and his wife Stacy of Puyallup, WA, Michael Lappin and John West of Atlanta, GA; and three step great-grandchildren: Raymond, Olivia, and Samuel Lappin, all of Puyallup, WA. In his younger years, fishing was his hobby. In later years, he discovered a love of cooking. He excelled in outdoor cooking and was known for his expertise in the making of Italian sausage. Nothing made him happier than preparing a special meal for his family. He was a gentle, soft-spoken man who was always ready and willing to help someone in need. Among his greatest joys were visiting Sicily and retracing his ancestors' footsteps, as well as his private tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel during his travels through Italy. He always held an interest in local current events and avidly followed the daily news for Baton Rouge and weather reports across the nation. He was educated in Baton Rouge's public schools. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and a member of the St. Agnes Usher's Society for 65 years. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Baton Rouge. He was a 67-year member of the United Commercial Travelers of America. He was also a lifelong fan of LSU Tiger Football. He was preceded in death by parents Joseph LaPorte, Sr. and Frances Passantino LaPorte; father-in-law and mother-in-law Joseph and Bernice Marino Cascio; infant sister Fanny LaPorte and brothers Vick LaPorte, Nick LaPorte, Joe LaPorte, Jr., Johnny LaPorte, Sr., Frank LaPorte, Sr., and son-in-law Dr. Harris Alan Lappin. Pallbearers will be Thomas A. LaPorte, Jr., Stewart E. Samuels, Mark A. Lappin, Joseph D. Cascio, Michael Wayne Noto and Frank Prestia III. Honorary Pallbearers are Ryan Dauzat, Mickey Montalbano, Dr. Joseph Trapani, Michael Murray and Patrick Amie. Special thanks and appreciation are extended to his long-time physicians Dr. John McLachlan, Dr. David Pope and Dr. Thomas Quaid, caregiver Bertha Smith, Carol Marie Prejean, the staff of the Behavioral Health Unit of Baton Rouge General Hospital and the team of the Butterfly Wing of The Hospice of Baton Rouge for their care and concern. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, The Hospice of Baton Rouge, St. Joseph's Academy of Baton Rouge andSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Rabenhorst Funeral Home.