Vincent Michael Laporte

Vincent Michael Laporte, 88, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed to eternal rest quietly surrounded by his children on March 22, 2017, at his home. Visitation is Monday, March 27, 6 – 8 pm, at Schiller Funeral Home in Harbor Springs,  with Rosary at 7:30 pm. Visitation also 10 am, Tuesday, March 28, at Holy Childhood of Jesus Church with funeral mass at 11 am;  Fr. Joseph Graff, officiating. A light luncheon will be served following mass at the church.

Born December 18, 1928, in Windsor, Ontario Canada, Vince was the oldest of eleven children who, along with parents Michael Joseph and Marie Antoinette (Bachand) Laporte, immigrated to the US at the age of 12.   He graduated high school at the age of 16, and received his BS Mech. Engineering from the University of Detroit at the age of 20. He became a naturalized citizen in 1953 after serving several years in the US Army during the Korean War period. He later earned his MBA from University of Detroit.

He married Mary Louise (Coburn) Oct. 3, 1953, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and they remained together for 58 years until her passing in 2011. A member of the National Federation of Independent businessmen, Vince’s entrepreneurial spirit made him a successful designer and provider of process ventilation equipment to industry for over 40 years.  Loving Northern Michigan, he moved his business and family to Harbor Springs in 1989, and retired in 1997 to live between there and Naples, FL. He was an avid bicyclist, enjoyed sailing his boat on Lake Michigan, ice skating and traveling.   Most of all he loved his God, and his church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Childhood, and volunteering at the Historical Society, Food Pantry and other nonprofits.

Vince is survived by his daughter Michele Laporte, of NYC; son Kevin (Lani) Laporte of Harbor Springs, MI; son Greg Laporte and longtime partner Michelle Sanborn of Utica, MI; grandchildren Keri Laporte-Montero (Marvin) of Grand Rapids, MI; Sgt. Jason V. (Evelyn) Laporte, US Army Vicenza, Italy;  Geoffry Laporte, of Atlanta, GA; Lindsey Laporte, of Dallas, TX;  and Will & Noah Laporte of Alexandria, LA. He is also survived by three great grand-children, Ciara Montero and Linda Montero of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lochlan Laporte of Vicenza, Italy.  He is also survived by nine siblings, their spouses, and an extended family exceeding 50 nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Mary Louise, daughter Linda Laporte, brother Patrick Laporte, his parents, and his beloved furry companion, Rudy the rescued Schnauzer, with whom he enjoyed many walks through Harbor Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Holy Childhood of Jesus Parish, 150 Main Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740.

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