Obituary of Joseph Laforce

Joseph LaForce of Palm City, 84

Joseph LaForce, a longtime winter resident of the Treasure Coast died at home on March 29 in Palm City, Florida. He was 84 years old. His wife and three children were at his side.

LaForce was the founder of LaForce, Inc., of Green Bay, Wisconsin, one of the countrys largest manufacturers and distributors of commercial doors, frames and hardware.

LaForce was born in Minonk, Illinois in 1922, the son of Joseph and Beatrice LaForce. Following his military service, LaForce attended The University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he met his wife, the former Eleanor Mac McBride of Chicago, Illinois. After the couple graduated, they were married in 1947. Following Joe LaForces brief stint in construction in Miami, the couple moved to Green Bay where he founded his business and raised his family.

LaForce had diverse interests beyond business and he and his wife have been long-standing supporters of Florida-based organizations with a consistent focus on education.

He was an enthusiastic world traveler. In his 80s, LaForce and his family made a tour of the Panama Canal, which had been a longtime interest for him and his wife. Both enjoyed classical music and they held season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera in New York. They were also patrons of the Green Bay Symphony.

He was a sports enthusiast, a skier and tennis player. His great passion was golf, and he spent many happy hours on the links at Harbor Ridge Country Club in Stuart, Florida.

Besides his wife Mac, LaForce is survived by three children and their spouses: Patricia LaForce and Jack Gibbons of Kailua, Hawaii; James LaForce and Stephen Henderson of New York City; Jane and Anthony Cinquini of Dana Point, California; and one grandchild, Gabriella Cinquini, also of Dana Point. Also surviving are his sister Alice DeGroot, of Townsend, Wisconsin; and a brother Don LaForce, of Palos Verdes, California.

Remembrances can be made to Treasure Coast Hospices or the Salvation Army. The family requests that no flowers be sent.

The family invites friends to a celebration of the life of Joseph LaForce on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 3:00 PM at Oneida Golf and Country Club, Green Bay Wisconsin.

There will not be any local services.