Stanley Albert Porter, devoted husband for 46 years to the late Rosamond (Lyle) Porter, beloved father and grandfather, and veteran of World War II, died peacefully on December 22, 2012 following a long illness at the age of 86.
Born in Yonkers, NY on April 30, 1926 to Rev. Alexander and Lena (Sibley) Porter (originally of Alma, Nova Scotia), Stanley was a long-time member and former deacon of the United Congregational Church in Worcester, MA. A 1947 graduate of Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA, Stanley had his high school education interrupted by war when he left school at age 18 to join the military. He served in the 90th Infantry Division of the Third U.S. Army under General George S. Patton and fought in the European Theater, including in the Battle of the Bulge. During his two-year stint, he achieved the rank of Sergeant and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received while fighting near the Rhine River.
After honorably discharging from the army in 1946, he completed his high school education, and went on to Springfield College, graduating from there with a B.S. in P.E. in 1951. The day after his college graduation, he married Rosamond.
Between 1951 and 1957, Stanley worked as a history teacher and coach at three different schools-Emerson School in Exeter, NH, Bancroft School in Worcester, and North Brookfield High School. For four years he owned a hardware and sporting goods store in Auburn, MA, and then he entered the field of ad sales, working first for R.L. Polk & Company, and later for Price & Lee Company. From 1968-1971 he served as executive vice president of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce.
Stanley and his wife co-founded the first Worcester-area chapter of Parent’s and Friend of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) in the mid 1980s.
Stanley spent most of his adult life in the Worcester-Gardner area, with three of his children graduating from Gardner High School, and the fourth graduating from Burncoat High School in Worcester. He loved boats and skiing, and some of his happiest times were spent taking his family on summer and winter vacations to the lakes, the mountains and the seashore.
Predeceased by his only brother Warren and his wife Edith (Searles) Porter of Gorham, NY, Porter will be greatly missed by his four children, Raymond and his wife Mary (Reading, MA), Stephen and his wife Carol (Chester, NH), Carolyn and her wife José (Holyoke, MA), Martha and her husband Michael (Northboro, MA); and six grandchildren, Joyce, Sarah, Rebecca, Drew, Kelsey, Derek, and Rosamond; one great-grandchild, Lillian; and three nephews, Frank, Rolfe and Alexander.
A memorial service will be held on January 5th at 10 a.m at the United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Rd. Worcester, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be sent to United Congregational Church. A private interment ceremony will be held Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, MA.
