Obituary of Richard E. LaRose

LaRose,

Richard E. “Dick”

Green Island – Richard E. LaRose, 85 of Green Island, died peacefully after a brief illness on April 20, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Born in Troy, NY on May 13, 1935, he was the son of Harold and Leona LaRose and the deeply devoted husband of Helene (Hipwell) LaRose for 65 years.

Dick graduated from LaSalle Institute in 1953 and served in the United States Navy Reserves from 1958 to 1962. Dick was employed at the General Electric Company as metallurgical supervisor and metallographer in the M&P Lab for 42 years; retiring in 1998. He had a strong work ethic and drive that was unparalleled but was always mindful to strike a healthy balance between work and family life. 

Dick will be sorely missed by all the people that had the pleasure of knowing him. His love, devotion and concern for his family, friends and to all he met was paramount to his own self and exemplified by his generous and selfless nature. Dick loved to make people laugh and smile, especially telling his Irish jokes and personal stories.

Dick was a man of strong faith and conviction. He was very active in parish activities as past president of the Augustinian Seculars; a member of the Legion of Mary, and a Perpetual Adoration adorer, had a special devotion to our Blessed Mother and contributed to many charitable organizations and causes. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed photography, fishing, and oil painting, and gave family many of his prized paintings and donated his metallurgical photographs to RPI upon retirement. His guilty pleasure was his love for sweets, especially chocolates and sneaked them whenever he could.  Dick’s greatest joy was pleasing and taking care of his most beloved wife, even when he was under the weather with health issues. He always put his wife and family first and foremost.

In addition to his wife, Helene, he is survived by his sister-in-laws Marcia Kane, Barbara (Testo) Hipwell, Barbara (Burhans) Hipwell, Marian Hipwell and Patricia Scott; brother-in-law Robert (Charlotte) Hipwell; his sons Richard (Beverly) LaRose of Latham; Mark LaRose of Albany; daughters Colleen LaRose of Green Island; Michelle (Michael) Thibodeau of Watervliet; Karen (Henry) Carl of Latham; grandchildren Heather (Jason) Parkis; Danielle LaRose; Andrea (Tanner) White; Prudence  LaRose Acevedo,  Sean McCullen (Michaela Joaquim), Stefanie (Chris) Bastien; Sara Thibodeau (Sean Davidson); Ryan Carl; Alyssa Carl; and great-grandchildren Abby, Eli, Gabriella, Lilianna, Nicholas, Henry, Lily and Sofie and many nieces, nephews and relatives.

Dick was predeceased by both parents, Harold and Leona LaRose; sisters and spouses Connie (Bob) Reid, Joan (Frank) Dufty, Barbara (Brud) Cooney and Rita (George) Mahoney; in-laws John (Jack) Hipwell, Thomas (Tucker) Hipwell, Paul Hipwell, James (Jim) Kane, Delores (Ron) Rhodes and Bernadette (Larry) Agers.

Please note change to Calling hours: Calling hours will be held for family only, including nieces and nephews and their spouses/significant others on Sunday, April 25, from 2 to 4pm at John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, corner of 115 Street and 4^th Ave., Lansingburgh, NY. A funeral Mass will follow at 9:30am on Monday, April 26, for family and friends at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 28 State Street, Troy, NY. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford, NY. Please note that social distancing, masks and occupancy limitations in the funeral home and church are required.

In lieu of flowers, Mass cards in Dick’s name are welcomed. Please contact St. Anthony’s Rectory for information (518-273-8622).

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