The Lafores of Pennsylvania were relatively distinguished and Lafore followed his father and grandfather in leading a Philadelphia charity called the "Société des Bienfaisances Françaises," which was founded in the late 18th century to aid the aristocratic refugees fleeing the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution.
Lafore graduated from Swarthmore College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
He later spoke of the contrast between the superficial luxury of the palace where they had their offices and the freezing conditions, which required personnel to wear overcoats indoors.
[1] Lafore's friendship with fellow Swarthmore professor Sarah Lee Lippincott resulted in their 1965 book Philadelphia: The Unexpected City.
Lafore is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.