WEST SPRINGFIELD-Lawrence W. (Larry) Latour, 88, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on March 15, 2014. Larry was the son of Lawrence and Catherine (Murphy) Latour and was born in Springfield and raised in Indian Orchard. At 17 years old, with a permission slip from his father, Larry joined the United States Marine Corps, entering World War II, where he was assigned to the Pacific Theatre, second division. For the next three years, he would defend the United States in the battles of Saipan and Tinian. When the War ended, he was honorably discharged and returned to Springfield. He earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Westfield State Teachers College (Westfield State University) and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from the University of Connecticut. Larry taught mathematics, history and geography in the West Springfield Public School System for nine years and worked for one year with the Department of Education in Boston. Larry was a tenured professor at Westfield State College where he supervised secondary education and authored a published text, "Inquiry Experiences in Geography" in 1973 and "Alpha Map Transparencies Southeast Asia". Larry retired from the college as Professor Emeritus after 23 years of dedicated service. Larry and his wife Angela, loved to travel and took many trips throughout the continental United States with many excursions to Alaska, Canada and Europe. For 15 years, he and his family spent their summers in Cape Hatteras, NC and later enjoyed their second home on Cape Cod. Larry was a communicant of St. Ann's Church of West Springfield and later of St. Thomas the Apostle of that City. Larry leaves his wife of 63 years, Angela (Laboranti) Latour, three sons, Mark of Staten Island, NY, Michael and his wife Debi of Springfield, MA, and Richard and his wife Ellen of Westfield, MA; and three cherished grandchildren Rachel Trant and her husband Jeffrey, Sarah Latour and Zachary Latour, all of Westfield. He also leaves two step-granddaughters Caitlin Bruscoe and her husband Shane, and Mairead Kelly; and two step great-grandchildren, Isabella and Rome. Larry also leaves his sister Florence Hammond, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Dorothy. Larry will be dearly missed. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:30 am from the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home followed by Mass in St. Thomas Church at 12:30 pm. Calling hours are Monday 4-7 pm. In Lieu of flowers, please consider sending a charitable donation to the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 Marine Corps League, Inc., located at 71 North Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085. 1-413-222-2684. For more information please go to curranjones.com.