TEWKSBURY: Vinal J. Porter, Jr. age 87, a resident of Tewksbury for 60 years and longtime member of the First United Baptist Church of Lowell, passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Emeritus of Tewksbury.
He was the beloved husband of Colleen (Wells) Porter, with whom he celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on September 16, 2011.
Born in Calais, Maine on October 16, 1923, he was the son of the late Vinal J. Porter, Sr. and the late Hazel (Johnson) Porter.
Mr. Porter was raised in Holton, ME and Lowell, MA. He attended Lowell schools and graduated from Lowell High School. Mr. Porter later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a pilot during World War II.
Prior to his retirement in 1986, he was employed as an Inventory Control Manager by the General Electric Company of Lynn. He was a member of the General Electric Apprentice Alumni.
Mr. Porter was an avid fly-fisherman and loved camping with his family at the Matagammon Wilderness in Maine.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his children, Linda G. Savard and her husband Richard of Hardwick, Roger W. Porter and his wife Diane of Londonderry, NH, Andrew P. Porter and his wife Ruth of Jackson, TN, Ted J. Porter and his wife Ruth-Ellen of Plymouth, ME and Eric S. Porter and his wife Karen of Wilmington; two brothers, Carlton Porter and his wife Dorothy of Topsfield and Ronald Porter of Portland, ME; his sister-in-law, Ruth P. Porter of Charlton; also 17 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Porter was the brother of the late Leonel V. Porter
Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 13, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., in the funeral home. Interment will be at a later date at Liberty Cemetery, Bethel Springs, TN. At the request of the family kindly Omit Flowers. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.