Angelo Archie LaForte

“Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” — Mark Twain

 Angelo Archie LaForte, 97, of Newtown, died October 8. Born February 26, 1913, in Ansonia, he grew up in Derby with his three brothers, Phil, John, and Sam, sons of a barber.

When the Depression came, his father told him to quit school and come work in the shop; Mr LaForte learned his life’s trade. To avoid the Army draft, in October 1943 he enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Alcor as Ship’s Service Man 2nd Class — as a barber. But just before leaving for the service he married Lee Casillo, who, besides being his wife of 58 years and the love of his life, entitled him to an extra $50 a month in Navy pay.

After the war, he returned home to barbering with his father until his youngest brother, Sam, could take his place in the shop, allowing Mr LaForte to set up his own business. The year was 1953 and Archie, Lee, and two daughters, Lisa and Donna, left the valley for Newtown. Haircuts were 35 cents and Mr LaForte walked across Church Hill Road from his home to his shop above the Five and Dime.

Twenty-seven years later, now owner of his own shop, Archie’s Country Corner, and his daughters through college, Mr LaForte bought a “wintering” place in Pompano Beach, Fla., where he and his wife grew a second family of dear friends. He greeted every day with a laugh and smile, and some strong preferences for rum and coke; OTB; the Elks; spaghetti with meatballs; the Yankees; Spatz, the poodle; Jai Alai; and just about everything else life has to offer… except vegetables.

Mr LaForte is survived by his daughters, Lisa Holmes of Newtown and Donna Palmer of Bethel; their respective husbands, Michael and Robert; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; his brother Sam and his wife, Pat; his goddaughter and nurse, Lynn Dudas; and his special, caring friend, Alpha Diallo.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St Rose of Lima Church, Thursday morning, October 14. Interment followed at the Newtown Village Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to National MS Society, 659 Tower Avenue, Hartford CT 06112.

The Newtown Bee        October 15, 2010