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BORN
1927
DIED
2015
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Ross LaPorta Obituary
Father Ross A. LaPorta, 88, of the Brightwater Retirement Community, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2015. Born Saturday, January 15, 1927 in Frostburg, MD, Father LaPorta was a son of the late Ross A. LaPorta and Kathleen Stowell LaPorta. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Father Gerald F. LaPorta. Father LaPorta was a graduate of St. Charles Seminary College, Catonsville, MD; St. Mary's Seminary Paca Street, Baltimore, MD and St. Mary's Seminary Roland Park, Baltimore, MD. In 1945, Father LaPorta was ordained into the priesthood at St. Mary's Roland Park. His first assignment was St. Matthew Catholic Church in Baltimore, MD. He served as priest for several other churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Upon retirement, Father LaPorta moved to Little River, SC to live with his mother and brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Father Dan Fleming of Atlanta, GA officiating. Burial will follow at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens. The Office of the Dead service will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1100 8th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. An online guestbook is available at msfh.net. McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC is in charge of the services.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ross LaPorta
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
Sarah Black
May 12, 2016
Father LaPorta was a very special priest to my family and a happy childhood memory. We adored him and missed him greatly since his retirement.
Mary Ann Creegan
February 27, 2015
You were a grand man to know. Looking forward to hearing you and Gerald play in Heaven....
February 19, 2015
Fond memories of Fr. Ross LaPorta at St. Charles Borremeo Parish in Pikesville, MD. I'll never forget the first booming "Ite, Missa est ..." that he sang as co-celebrant #2 at his first high Mass (with Fr. Dan Cummings & Fr. Joe Kitko). And I'll always remember his love of opera; his fondness for new black Pontiac Gran Prix's / GTO's; and his allowing me to caddy for him over 9 holes after I had served him as an altar boy at high funeral Masses on Fridays [The latter raised the eyebrow of my 7th & 8th grade nun, Sr. Maria Assumpta, but ... Oh, well ...]. Fr. Ross was a gentleman who remained proud of HIS father, the barber into his 90's.
Tom(my) Helfrich (currently a 63 y.o. school psychologist with DoDEA in Catania, Sicily (Sigonella Naval Air Station)
Randy Bandel
February 16, 2015
Father Laporta was very involved with our CYO baseball team. He would drive us to the games
each week. He was a good man.
Kathy Loehmer
February 12, 2015
I have such fond memories from my childhood of Fr. Laporta - what a lovely man. RIP and thank you for all you gave to all of us.
February 12, 2015
I also have fond memories of Father LaPorta. As a teenager I grew up in St Matthews parish and have fond memories of spending time with him while he visited our family at my parents home in Northwood. He was a good friend and will be missed. Rest in peace, and say hello to my family when you run into all of them up there.
Ted & JoAnne Christensen
Marty Skane
February 12, 2015
Rest in peace,Father. I remember Fr La Porta from my early teen years at St Matthews in Baltimore.he was the moderator of the CYO baseball team.I have nothing but good memories of that time as well as good memories of FR La Porta
Chris Stromyer
February 12, 2015
Rest in the Lord Father LaPorta. We had Father Ross to our house many times for dinner. I remember him at St. Matthew's, where I grew up. He was very good to my parents (Helen and Burt Stromyer) during his tenure with the Knights of Columbus. He will be missed by many.
February 10, 2015
fond memories of father laporta when he was our pastor at our lady of perpetual help in woodlawn md. may he rest in peace dort thomas
DG
February 10, 2015
So sorry to hear of your loss. May the God of mercies bring you much comfort as you realize that God will soon eliminate all such suffering and pain by means of His Kingdom. Matthew 6:9,10
Christine Henry
February 10, 2015
I will miss Father La Porta. He was kind and so pragmatic. Loved the opera, his IPAD and was truly a Godly servant. Chow, Father. Please watch over us.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
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McMillan-Small Funeral Home & Crematory910 67th Ave North P.O. Box 7506, Corner of 67th Ave. And Bypass 17, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
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