PORTLAND – Lawrence Albert “Larry” LaForge, 83, resident of Well-wood Road in Portland, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, at St. Joseph’s Manor in Portland. He was born Dec. 19, 1921, in Bangor, a son of Louis A. and Frances A. (Lowell) LaForge. He attended schools in Bangor and graduated from Bangor High School with the Class of 1939. After graduation he joined the Maine Army National Guard and left for Camp Blanding, Fla. in 1941 with the 152 Field Artillery Unit. He was transferred to 203 Field Artillery Headquarters in September 1944 and landed in France where he served with General George Patten’s 3rd Army from France to Germany. During this time he was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning home from the service he was employed at New England Telephone Company where he worked for 38 years retiring as central office foreman. Larry married Patricia Millett June 10, 1946, at Saint Mary’s Church in Bangor. They began their married life in Bangor, moved to Ellsworth and finally settled in Portland, residing there for 40 years. Larry’s most cherished moments were spent at the family camp on Hermon Pond. After retirement, he and Pat spent summers at their cottage on Branch Lake. He enjoyed working with wood, generously giving many of his creations to others. He was always willing to give a helping hand. He had a quick wit and dry sense of humor, often playing harmless practical jokes. He was a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, spending hours at Marden’s in search of trinkets for them. He was a longtime communicant of St. Pius X Church of Portland. He was a life member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was predeceased by a brother, J. Willard LaForge; and his sisters, Margaret Brewer and Joanie Hershey. He is survived by his wife of 59 years; daughter, Nancy and her husband, Gene, of Portland; son, Michael and his wife, Heidi, of Hermon; a brother, John and his wife, Peggy, of South Harpswell and Florida; grandchildren, Chad Lewis of Bucksport, Stephanie Westbye of Washington, Justin LaForge of Liberty and Elsebeth LaForge of Bucksport; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Aaron and Alex Lewis, Sebastian, Noah and Josie LaForge; several cousins, nieces, nephews and a special cousin, Sr. Eleanor LaForge. At his request there will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in St. Pius X Church, Ocean Avenue, Portland. Interment with military honors will be held 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in the chapel at Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Maine Cancer Society, One Maine Street, Topsham, ME 04086 or to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102. Arrangements are by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland. The LaForge family wishes to thank Dr. Kurt Ebrahim and the staff members at Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Manor for their compassionate care.