The family of RICHARD HERSEY LaPORTE of Unity, NH, would like to let his friends and others who knew him, know, that on June 25, 2012, he went to be with the Lord. He passed away at the VA Regional Hospital in White River Junction, VT at the age of 79, from the complications of an extended illness. Richard was born December 22, 1932 during a snow storm in Barre, VT the son of Grace May (Preston) LaPorte and Reginald Willis LaPorte. He is predeceased by his parents Grace and Reginald, a brother Reginald Willis LaPorte, Jr. and a stepson Vincent, and is survived by wife Joyce Helen (Day) LaPorte of Unity, his former wife Marjorie, (Edwards) Messer of Bradford, NH and mother of their children, a son, Richard Kevin LaPorte (wife Alesia) of Newbury, NH, daughter Doreena Ann (LaPorte) Jillson (husband Jim) of Merrimack, NH, a son Byron and his wife Bonnie, step-children, Wade Marbach of Unity, Jill Dore of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Jana Cole of W. Palm Beach, FL., Grandchildren Alyx Jillson and Martha LaPorte. Step-grandchildren, Brandon Marbach, Whitney Dore, Raegan Dore, Cullen Dore, Devin Locke, Bryce Cole, and Jahniya Paige and many other nieces and nephews. His brothers and sisters include Margaret Alice Rechisky, Vivian May Brown, Wayne Donald LaPorte, and Eloise Phila Willard. Richard grew up in the North Newport, Sunapee and Newbury areas. Richard’s idea of fun when his father wanted him to work in the garage was to grab his rifle and head to the mountains. He was a lot more fond of hunting on the mountain than working in the garage fixing cars! He attended Newport schools before transferring to Warner where he graduated high school. As a youth, Richard had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed many outdoor activities. After graduating high school and when old enough, he enlisted in the US Air Force, where he became an aircraft mechanic. While stationed in England, he found an interest in motorcycle racing, and became the first American to race at one of the world’s most difficult road courses at the Isle of Man. After his stint in the military Richard returned home to Newbury to follow in his father’s foot steps of being a mechanic. After his father passed away in 1956, Richard took over the garage in Newbury. While running the family business, he continued his motorcycle racing habit on race tracks throughout the eastern US and Canada, including Loudon, Daytona, Belknap, Moss Port and others. However, after some time, the flying bug bit him and he wanted to be in the air. In the late 60’s, he purchased an airplane and put it on floats. In keeping with his love for the outdoors, he established a seaplane business on Lake Sunapee and when that grew, he sold the family garage business so that he could concentrate solely on being a bush-pilot. His flying business kept him extremely busy. Richard was an avid hunter, fisherman and had a special connection with his Cessna 206. He felt that together, they could do the impossible….and usually did. Over the years, he owned a set of sportsman’s camps in Northern Quebec, where he took fishermen and hunters for a 6-day experience they would never forget. Richard made a lot of friends of the clients he flew during the 28-years he flew. As his health declined to the point where he had to retire from his flying career, he found an interest for writing, so he decided to document some of his adventures in life, and authored two books, “The Adventures of a Bush Pilot” parts I & II He had promoted his seaplane business by giving slide-show presentations and discussions at various sporting exhibitions and to sportsman’s clubs and basically anyone who wanted to listen to him tell his stories! This was his way to continue to promote his books. Even just prior to his passing, and with failing health, he continued to dream of spending his time venturing forth into the great outdoors. There will be no services. A memory gathering in Richard’s honor will be held at a time and place decided by his family at a later date. Memorial donations can be made in Richard’s name to any humane society of one’s choice or the Kidney Foundation. National Kidney Foundation www.kidneyhealth.org (click on “Donate”) 85 Astor Avenue Norwood, MA 02062-5040