Joseph Samuel LaMorte passed away peacefully at his home in Darien, surrounded by family, on Dec. 29, 2023. He was 87 years old.
Joseph LaMorte, 87, passed away Dec. 29. A memorial celebration of his life will take place in late May.
Joseph was born on Jan. 19, 1936, in Greenwich to Mary Ann (Farrell) and Samuel Joseph LaMorte.
After graduating from Port Chester High School in 1954, Joseph served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a sergeant while studying art and graphic design at Cooper Union and The New School in New York City.
During this time he also launched his career as a commercial artist, illustrating for newspapers, magazines, and major New York City department stores, including Lord and Taylor, B. Altman, Macy’s and Needlecreek, as well as a number of ad agencies.
While commercial work as an illustrator and art director paid the bills, Joe’s first love was painting. His oils and watercolors capture the places he loved best-seascapes, shorelines, and landscapes-and have graced the walls of many a fine art gallery in New York City, Connecticut and Bermuda, where he was an artist in residence at the Masterworks Museum.
After retiring in 1997, Joe shared his knowledge and passion for art as a teacher at both the Darien Senior Center and Darien Art Center, where he enjoyed mentoring and spending time with aspiring artists.
A true Renaissance man, Joe could design, draw, build or implement just about anything he could imagine. But what all who knew him will remember most are Joe’s big heart and wry sense of humor. Those who knew him well could tell a joke was coming when he got that sparkle in his eye.
Those who had just met him sometimes couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious, a skill Joe often used to his advantage. To wit, when asked by a new dentist what he did for a living, Joe (thinking that his bill would be reflective of his occupation) replied, “I paint buoys on Long Island Sound” (both were often subjects in his paintings). When the doctor asked, “How does one do that?” Joe responded: “I swim out to the buoy with the paint can and brush in my mouth.” Typical Joe LaMorte humor.
A beloved husband, father, brother, and artist, Joseph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Elizabeth LaMorte (Beth); his sons, Scott Joseph LaMorte (Irene LaRusso) and Darrin Andrew LaMorte; his daughter, Carole Ann LaMorte (John Huck); his sister, Marlene LaMorte; and his brothers, Frank LaMorte (Barbara) and Thomas LaMorte (Elaine).
A memorial celebration of Joseph’s life will take place in late May, providing an opportunity for family and friends to gather and celebrate his dedication to family, big heart, sense of humor, artistic talents, and contributions to the creative world.
— This obituary was published by the Darien Times on Legacy.com, where online condolences may be left.