Charles Earl Porter

Charles Earl Porter  of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020, under the care of his family.   He was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on December 30, 1927, the son of the late Charles O. and Beulah [Jackson] Porter.

Mr. Porter served with the US Army in Korea. After returning from the service, he was employed as an electrician with several businesses and then helped with the construction of the Robert Moses Power Project.   He was a general supervisor at the GM Tonawanda Engine Plant for 26 years, before retiring in 1986.

Mr. Porter was actively involved with the Deveaux Beautification, Grand Niagara Hockey and the Mang Sharks Hockey Team.  He had an indomitable spirit with an inspiring and infectious love of life and learning, as evidenced by his varied and expansive interests: having grown up in Canada, he loved hockey, playing and listening to music, golfing, fishing, amateur aviation, sailing, scotch, beekeeping, and even took up scuba diving post-retirement.  But his love of creating memories with family and friends was perhaps most emblematic of who he was: for decades, he and his wife Beverly generously hosted annual picnics and parties on most major holidays, with family, friends, neighbors, and extended family attending these memorable events year after year.

He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years Beverly A. [Hanson] Porter.

He is survived by his four children Carolyn (late George) Rutledge, Pamela (Joseph) Suszczynski, Charles (Susan) Porter, Jr., Beverly J. (Brian) Federspiel, six grandchildren Jeff  Suszczynski, Chris (Sandy) Rutledge, Jennifer (Kevin) Caprio, Jared Porter, Cheryl Suszczynski, Douglas Porter, ten great-grandchildren Lauren, Sarah and Jack Rutledge, Savannah and Stephanie Porter, Charlie Porter, Declan and Melina Caprio, Ben and Stevie Porter, sisters Jean and Elizabeth Porter, also many nieces and nephews.

He was the grandfather of the late Steven C. Porter and brother of the late Franklin Porter, Marjorie Porter, Elaine Highhouse and Lillian Porter.

His family will be present on Saturday from 3-5:00 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 901 Cayuga Street, LEWISTON, NY, followed by Military Honors at 5:00 PM.  

Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made in his name to the non-profit radio station WAYO 104.3FM, 1237 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14609.  Online donations may also be made at https://donate.wayofm.org/  (please enter his name in the Additional Comments field).

Inurnment in Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, NY
 

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