Michael Peter LaCorte, 85, of Clifton, passed away on June 30, 2019. Born and raised in Clifton, Michael was a proud US Navy Veteran, and  the owner and operator of Mike LaCorte Realty, Clifton.

Michael was born January 11, 1934 and proudly lived out his entire life in his family homestead in the Athenia section of Clifton.

He attended Clifton High School, Class of 1952, before joining the U.S. Navy with 55 other young men, many of whom he remained close with after returning home. During his time in service from 1952-1956, he attained the rank of Petty Officer-3 and was a Parachute Rigger on an aircraft carrier for Attack Squadron VA 175, the Devils Diplomats. He toured the Mediterranean (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece) on the U.S.S. Coral Sea, and toured Cuba and Haiti on the U.S.S. F.D. Roosevelt.

Upon his return from the Navy, he worked as a mail carrier for the Clifton Post Office from 1956 to 1958 and as Area Supervisor for the newspaper carriers for the Star Ledger newspaper. He attended Lincoln Tech for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration from 1957-1958 when he then decided to get his Real Estate License. On July 12, 1958, he married Eleanor Cicchino and together they raised two daughters, Renee' and Gina. They shared 50 years together until Eleanor's passing in 2009.

He ultimately opened his own business, Mike LaCorte Real Estate & Insurance Agency, which operated in the Athenia Section on Van Houten Ave for over 40 years. Mike continued to stay active in business until his passing, and most recently worked under Skyview Real Estate in Clifton where he was a Real Estate Appraiser and Property Manager for a number of local condo associations. As was his style, he was making maintenance phone calls for the Vets Post just hours before he passed.

A well-liked figure in his community, he was very involved - with the CHS Class of '52 Reunion Committee, the Athenia Veterans Post not only as a Naval Veteran, but also as the Post Commander for a total of 13 years spanning 1977 to 2012.  He also held various Committee Chair positions within the Post, in which he helped plan and organize dinner dances, beefsteaks, golf outings, trips, pig roasts, and picnics. He received the honor of Outstanding Member by the Athenia Vets Post in May of 2016. He was also one of the founding members of the Clifton Boys & Girls Club was their Alumni Hall of Fame 2013 Inductee,  and served on the Youth Week Committee for the City of Clifton Recreation Dept.

In his real estate career, he received the following awards: the Silver Award as a Member of the Million Dollar Sales Club by the NJ Association of Realtors in 1986; as Director of the Passaic County Board of Realtors, he was awarded outstanding service in 1999 and 2000; he received the Quarter Century Club Award from the NJ Association of REALTORS in 2003; and received REALTOR Emeritus status by the National Association of Realtors in 2013 ,

Additional Associations he was a member of are: The Disabled American Veterans - Clifton Chapter for 56 years, The America Legion - Post 0008 for 40 years, The Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 7165, The Clifton Elks Lodge - No.1569 for 40 years, The Loyal Order of the Moose - Clifton Lodge 657, and Unico National. He was a longtime Parishioner of St. John Kanty R.C. Church, Holy Name Society, Clifton and a member of The Inter'l Order of Alhambra - Aurora #55 .

Mike was so much more than just his business and civic associations. He had the biggest heart and helped many around him; those just starting out,  others who found themselves in a tough spot, and some he was that friend till the end. His compassion, generosity and trust were truly undaunting.

Michael truly lived a full life!! Whether at someone's home or out in a restaurant, he was happiest sharing a meal and conversation surrounded by those he loved, both friends and family. I will miss the lunch dates we had at the Allwood Diner. He always knew the soup by the day of the week! He enjoyed golf, yearly vacation travels with his siblings, summers at Chadwick Beach, NJ, visiting his Melbourne Beach home in Florida, and being a part of his grandchildren and great-granddaughter's life.

He was known by many names: Mike, Zookie, Zooba, Sonny, Dad, Pop and G-Pop. He was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to so many!  To use one of his favorite phrases, "I got news for ya!" if he had a Facebook account, he would've had 1000s of "Facebook Friends" too.  He is, and will be, dearly missed by all!! We love you!!

Genesis 15:15 You...will go to your ancestors in peace., and be buried at a good old age.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Beloved husband of the late Eleanor (Cicchino) who passed away in 2009. Devoted father of Reneé Thompson and her husband Keith of Pennsburg, PA, and Gina Yarrish and her husband Thaddeus "Ted", Jr. of Kingsley, PA. Loving grandfather of Jaclyn, and Michelle Thompson, Justin Yarrish and his wife Lisa, Thaddeus Yarrish, III., Michael Yarrish and his wife Cheyenne, and Melissa Wallis and her husband Josh. Cherished great grandfather of Jonathan, Hailey, Jackson, and Freyja Yarrish, and Charlotte Thompson. Dear brother of Charles LaCorte, Jr. and his wife Janet of FL, and Josephine Swan of PA.  Brother In Law of Teresa Kobre and her husband Dave, and Carol Sapienza.

Funeral Monday 9AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10AM at St. John Kanty RC Church, Clifton. Interment, Crest Haven Memorial Park, Clifton. Visiting Sunday 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Athenia Veterans Post, 147 Huron Ave., Clifton, in memory of Michael, would be greatly appreciated.