Obituary of Patrick LaPorta

LaPorta, Patrick Schenectady, New York It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Patrick LaPorta, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. He passed away peacefully at his home. Born on February 19, 1935 to Patsy and Philomena LaPorta, he was the oldest of three children and was raised in Schenectady and attended public schools there. Pat from a very early age right up to his passing assumed a role of providing and looking out for his family. This required him to take on responsibilities while still attending school that most do not have to do until adulthood. However, Pat never was one to complain but as with everything took things in stride. He did allow himself one pleasure as a kid and that was playing sports which he excelled at. While attending Nott Terrace, Pat played football where he was a two-way starter. At the age of 16 while swimming, he suffered a serve neck injury breaking his neck that left him with constant pain and numbness right up to his death. However, Pat’s toughness and perseverance allowed him to come back his senior year at Nott Terrace where he was named a high school All-American. As in typical style, Pat never talked about his accomplishments but always spoke about the friendships he made with his teammates and coaches, friendships that he continued right up to his passing. Upon graduation from Nott Terrace in 1954, Pat served his country honorably. Pat was proud of his service and the experiences and life lessons it taught him. He was stationed in Germany which gave a poor kid from Goose Hill the opportunity to see and visit many countries he otherwise would have never been able to do. Upon his discharge from the service, Pat returned to Schenectady to begin a new chapter. That chapter started with a blind date when he met the love of his life, Florence Colorito LaPorta. Pat and Florence were married on August 9, 1959 and where happily married for 58 years until his heart was permanently broken with her passing in 2017. Pat and Florence’s commitment to each other and their family was the purest example of unconditional love. Pat also said they were a partnership and that when two people work together and are committed to a common goal there is nothing that cannot be overcome and achieved. Pat was employed by the General Electric Company. His work ethic and commitment to excellence allowed him to have a successful career at GE for over 30 years where he served in various capacities in Schenectady and Waterford. His values that he brought to the job where examples and life lessons that he passed onto his children and grandchildren. Pat was the consummate teacher always passing on life lessons and wisdom to his family. He ensured that they had the ability to succeed and be independent not only during his life but more importantly to Pat when he would no longer be here to help and guide them. Many of those life lessons were grounded in his Catholic faith which he took immense pride in but in typical Pat fashion was very private about. Pat was predeceased by his wife, Florence LaPorta, his parents Patsy and Philomena LaPorta and a sister Mary Lou Tower. He leaves behind his children Michele (Donald) Freeman, Patrick LaPorta, his grandchildren, Danielle (Craig) Hafner, Jared Freeman, Katherine LaPorta, Cara LaPorta, John LaPorta, a great-grandson Vincent Hafner and a sister, Cynthia (Robert) Labarge as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling hours will be held at the Daly Funeral Home 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady, on Friday January 12, 2024 from 4 pm to 7 pm and a Mass of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated on Saturday January 13, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady. Entombment, Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Donations can be made in Pat’s memory to the Florence LaPorta Nursing Scholarship c/o The Foundation for Ellis Medicine 1110 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, or online at ellismedicinefoundation.org/donate-now or to St. Anthony’s Church.