Eleanor Laforce

Eleanor ("Mac") LaForce, 90, died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay on October 24th, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her three children: Patricia LaForce, James LaForce and Jane LaForce Cinquini.

Mac LaForce was an active member of the Green Bay community for nearly 70 years. An indomitable spirit, she was an advocate for women, education and underserved communities. She was an active partner with her husband, the late Joe LaForce, in creating LaForce, Inc., the 61-year-old, Green Bay-based company, which has grown to become one of the country's largest distributors of commercial doors and hardware with twelve offices across the Mid- and Southwest.

Born on the South Shore of Chicago in 1925, Eleanor MacBride (hence, the nickname "Mac," by which she was universally known) enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1942. She joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority where she met fellow student Joseph LaForce, who was working at the sorority as a part-time busboy. LaForce courted Mac aboard his ice sailing boat on Lake Mendota.

After graduation, Mac was intrepid enough and sufficiently fluent in Spanish, to be hired as a stewardess by Pan American Airways to fly the newly-opened routes from Miami to Cuba, Colombia, Suriname and Venezuela. She later told stories of flying in unpressurized cabins, landing on grass runways illumined by hand-held lanterns, and cargo holds filled with the U.S. Mail as well as live chickens.

When Joe and Mac settled in Green Bay just after World War II, they both put their focus into Joe's dream of owning his own business. His first scheme was in home construction, as a result of which LaForce came upon the idea of becoming a distributor of doors and hardware. Thus, LaForce Builders Hardware was born. (Its first office was in the basement below the Green Bay Packer ticket office on Washington Street.)

As the business grew, and Mac and Joe started a family, Mac's primary focus outside the home was supporting Joe in the business any way she could. She attended conventions around the country and entertained manufacturers and customers at home. With each bit of success, Joe would suggest buying Mac a fur coat or a new car. She was always adamant, however, they should instead invest in a new piece of machinery, or another truck, to continue to grow the company.

Mac LaForce was an active supporter and leader at organizations including the YWCA, University of Wisconsin (both Green Bay and Madison), St. Norbert College, the Salvation Army and the Kroc Center, United Way, Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, Bellin College of Nursing, the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Encompass, Literacy Council of Brown County, Green Bay Botanical Garden, among others. She furthermore was a benefactor to a range of organizations around Martin County, Florida, where she spent time every winter for nearly 40 years.

In her younger years, Mac played golf twice a week in the summer and indoor tennis in the winter. A skilled bridge player, she continued competing in duplicate bridge matches in Florida into her late 80's. And, up until a few years ago, she taught English as a second language to Spanish speaking adults in Green Bay and Palm City, Florida. Mac will be remembered most for her razor-sharp wit, her dynamic personality, and her fierce support of progressive causes and political issues.

Even after the devastating loss of her husband, and well into her 90th year, Mac continued to keep an active watch on the continued evolution of LaForce, Inc. Just a few weeks ago she attended a lunch celebrating more than 50 students from St. Norbert and UWGB who have been awarded scholarships by the LaForce Family Foundation, which was established by Mac's and Joe's children to continue their spirit of giving in the Green Bay community.

In addition to her children, LaForce is survived by her sons-in-law, Jack Gibbons, Stephen Henderson and Tony Cinquini, and her granddaughter, Gabriella Cinquini. Joe LaForce died in 2007.

Remembrances can be mailed to: The LaForce Family, 2741 Indian Hill Drive, Green Bay, WI, 54313. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mac's honor to: Toni Loch, Howe Community Resource Center, 526 South Monroe Avenue, Green Bay, 54301.

The LaForce family will commemorate the life of Mac LaForce on Friday, November 6th at 3:00 p.m. at Oneida Country Club in Green Bay. All are welcome.