Archie LaForte

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


On October 8, 2010 Archie LaForte, of Newtown, Connecticut passed away after 97 wonderful years. Born February 26, 1913, in Ansonia, Archie 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; Archie learned his life’s trade. To avoid the Army draft, in October ‘43, 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 youngest brother Sam could take his place in the shop allowing Archie 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 Archie 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, his daughters through college, Archie bought a “wintering” place in Pompano Beach, Florida where he and Lee grew a second family of dear friends. Archie greeted every day with a laugh and smile and some strong preferences for: rum & 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.

Archie is survived by his daughters, Lisa Holmes of Newtown and Donna Palmer of Bethel, their respective husbands, Michael and Robert; grandchildren, Ryan and Bridget Holmes, Joshua Palmer, great grandson, Issac Palmer, brother Sam and his wife Pat, his goddaughter and nurse, Lynn Dudas, and his special, caring friend, Alpha Diallo.

Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Thursday, October 14 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM followed at 11:00 AM by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd., Newtown. Interment will follow at the Newtown Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Archie’s memory to National MS Society, 659 Tower Ave., Hartford, CT 06112