Rene J. LaPorte Jr., 62, of Stark Rd. in Lempster, NH, formerly of Claremont, died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on July 21, 2015, from complications after suffering a massive heart attack on June 24, 2015.

Rene was born on September 5, 1952 in Claremont, NH, the son of Rene J. LaPorte Sr. and Bernice (Morey) LaPorte.  He attended schools in Croydon and Claremont, NH.  After graduating from Stevens High School, Rene served his country in the US Army.  Once back in NH, he was a truck driver for most of his life.  He also was a certified Cal Ripkin and Babe Ruth baseball umpire spending many hours umpiring baseball games in the area.  He was past Exalted Ruler of both the Windsor and Claremont Elks, past Post Commander at Post 29 (Claremont) and past NH District 6 Commander of the American Legion in New Hampshire.  Rene was a loyal member of the Vets Club in Newport and also the Newport Moose.  He loved and enjoyed his family, playing in his Grand St. Band and his precious dogs, Pooh Bear and Little Guy.

He is survived by his mother, Bernice LaPorte, his wife, Annie L. LaPorte, a daughter, Gwendolyn Melcher and her husband, Robert, and a son, Daniel LaPorte and his significant other, Meredith Johnson, Gwen and Dan’s mother, Kathie LaPorte and four grandchildren, Zachary and Alexis Melcher, and Andrew and Landon LaPorte.  He is also survived by his brothers, Arthur LaPorte and his wife, Colleen Coskren and Jerry LaPorte and a sister, Bonny LaPorte and her significant other, David Griswold, as well as nieces, nephews, aunts, an uncle, cousins, and many close, dear friends.  He was predeceased by his father, Rene J. LaPorte Sr. who died in 1974.

Visiting hours will be held at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St. on Saturday August 1^st from 1-3pm.  Military honors will be conducted at 3pm followed by services by the Loyal Order of the Elks #879 and by the Newport Moose.  A reception will follow at the Claremont Elks on Pleasant Street.