Anthony “Tony” Dale LaPorte

Anthony “Tony” Dale LaPorte age 57 of Harrison passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Anthony was born January 12, 1965 in Ypsilanti, Michigan the son of Dale A. LaPorte and Patricia Ann (Palozzola) LaPorte. Tony graduated from Harrison Community Schools in 1983. Following his graduation, Tony enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for twenty-four years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 2007 and earned his BA in 2013 from Northwood University. Mr. LaPorte was united in marriage to Carla Jean Nickl on December 17, 2011 in Trenton, Michigan.

                Tony was raised, had resided and retired in Harrison. He enjoyed golfing, shooting guns, watching his favorite television shows, including: M*A*S*H, NCIS, Hallmark movies, John Wayne westerns and any action-packed movies. He enjoyed attending Minor League Baseball games and found his greatest pleasures in life spending time with his family and spoiling his grandchildren. Many will fondly remember Tony’s appreciation for a “good cigar”.   

                Surviving Mr. LaPorte is his wife of ten years, Mrs. Carla Jean LaPorte of Harrison, four children: Angela VanBuren and husband Andy of Harrison, Krystal Watrous and husband Jason of Houghton Lake, Michigan, Anthony Dale LaPorte Jr. and wife Tammy of Tontogany, Ohio and Tyler LaPorte and wife Katlyn of Harrison, three step-sons: Michael Cocco and wife Grace of Cincinnati, Ohio, Paul Cocco of Cincinnati and Nicholas Cocco also of Cincinnati, eight grandchildren: Sophia and Gavin, Jackson and Lily, Trenton and Ryan and Everly and Oakley, his mother and step-father, Patricia and Robert Gorecki of Sun City Center, Florida and previously of Newport, Michigan, two brothers: David LaPorte and wife Leslie of Harrison and Jeffery LaPorte and wife Angie also of Harrison, his former wife, Laurie Fitzgerald-Bergey of Lansing, Michigan, plus many nieces, nephews and extended family. Mr. LaPorte was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Christopher LaPorte and his maternal grandparents, Antonio and Christina Palozzola.

                Services for Mr. LaPorte will be held Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. from Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison with family and friends officiating. Military Honors will immediately follow under the auspices of the Department of the Navy, V.F.W. Post 1075 Honor Guard and American Legion Post 404 Honor Guard. Visitation will take place Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Inurnment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan. Memorial gifts in memory of Mr. LaPorte may be considered to: ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. To share an online memory or condolence with Tony’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements and care of Mr. LaPorte and his family are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.