George Andre' LaPorte

PORTLAND - George Andre' LaPorte, 81, of Cumberland Ave., died on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Maine Medical Center following a brief illness. Andre' was born in Edmondston, Canada on December 8, 1932, the youngest son of four boys, to Georges and Adeline Clavette Laporte, both of whom he loved very much. He attended schools in Edmondston and Quebec before joining the Canadian Army for a brief time, an experience he was very proud of. He later studied art and design in New York City. Andre' was with his partner, Robert S. Zimmern for 46 years, they were officially married on July 27, 2013. He worked as a graphic artist and editor at Fairchild Publications in New York. He went on to found LaPorte Studios, where he designed housewares, carpets and art for Ralph Lauren. Andre' was an avid gardener, loved potatoes and a great baguette, movies, swimming, great clothes and seized the opportunity to travel any chance he got. He was predeceased by two brothers Pio and John LaPorte. He is survived by the love of his life for more than 46 years his husband Robert S. Zimmern of Portland; a stepson Andrew and his wife Rishia Zimmern and his grandson Noah, all of Minneapolis; godchild Louise Jessup of Canada; brother Paul LaPorte of Canada; cousins Jan and Michael Coburn of Canada. At the family's request all services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Andre' name to: Art Barge (Victor D'Amico Institute of Art) 110 Napeague Meadow Rd., Amagansett, NY 11930Online condolences may be expressed below.