| Former Riverhead resident Agostino "Gus" LoPorto, 89, of Citrus Springs, Fla., died April 9 at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Fla.
Born Aug. 12, 1919, in New York City, Mr. LoPorto served as a technical corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart, in addition to other awards and decorations. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, VFW, Moose and the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
He was also a member of the General Building Laborer's Local Union No. 66 in Melville and the North Babylon Fire Department, and he served as president of the Riverhead Exempt Firefighters Association. He also volunteered with the Head Start program and various other community programs and was a parishioner of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
According to his family, Mr. LoPorto, also known as "Auggie," always had an opinion to share and usually debated until he had the final word. "His heart was bigger than his ego," they said, "and he gave more than he received."
Predeceased by a grandson, Mr. LoPorto is survived by his wife of over 62 years, Dolores; his children, Dolores Larorsa, Ron and James; his siblings Marie, Betty and Alia; and two grandchildren.
Family received visitors April 14 at Roberts Funeral Home in Dunnellon, Fla. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 15 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Interment with military honors was at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776, P.O. Box 1345, Lecanto, FL 34460-1345. |
