Obituary of Gary R. Porter

Gary R. Porter of Kirbyville, MO formerly of Woodbourne, NY passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. He was 62. He was the son of the late Richard B. and Beverly J. Mudge Porter, born on March 25, 1953 in Monticello, NY. He was a native of Hurleyville and attended the Hurleyville School, which is now the museum. He later graduated from Monticello High. After graduation, Gary joined the U.S. Navy for two tours, one of which was during the Vietnam Era. He proudly served on the U.S.S Gato submarine from 1980-1984. He was a M.P. in Iceland and the main chef on his submarine. After his last Navy tour he was discharged and went to Maine where he met his wife of 23 years. They then had their two children. He pursued his career of law enforcement and moved his family back to NYS. Gary was a Deputy Sheriff Correctional Officer for the Sullivan County Sheriff`s Department for 4 years before returning to NYS Corrections. He returned to the Woodbourne Correctional Facility as Correctional Officer for 14 years; which he retired from in 2014. Gary was proud of his family and enjoyed being together with friends and family. Playing his guitar, playing pool, hunting, fishing and cooking up a storm were his passions. He was always the first one to make a silly joke and could make anyone smile. His nature and upbringing was to always smile and share a hug and you will always have a friend. He did that with everyone he met and made everyone feel welcome in his home, he was respected very much. He is going to be deeply missed and forever loved. He is survived by his wife Theresa L. Porter, his children Gary R. Porter, Jr. of Cohoes, NY, Klarissa M. Porter of Grahamsville, NY, his siblings: Charles and his wife, Mun Porter of Lantana, FL., Robert Porter of Winston Salem, NC., Beverly-Lou and her husband Kenny Keener of Monticello, NY., and several aunts and uncles as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial visitation will be on Saturday, April 4, 2015 in Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. With full military honor at the funeral home. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.