RICHARD E. PORTER BREWER and NEWBURGH Richard Earl Porter, 83, passed away at his home in Brewer, April 19, 2008, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Hudson, Jan. 30, 1925, the son of Percy M. and Belle (Peirce) Porter. Richard graduated from Hampden Academy, Class of 1942 and after graduation entered the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy he served on L.S.T. ships during World War II in both the European and Pacific Theatres. During his time in the Navy he also attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and became a master electrician. After his discharge he returned to Newburgh with his wife, Ruth (Hudson) Porter; and son, Richard E. Jr. During this time he worked as an electrician at Leens Electric Motor Co. and in 1956 he went to work for the Maine Central Railroad and retired as a car inspector in 1986. During his lifetime he enjoy camping, fishing, traveling and he loved to dance. He was a life member of Whitcomb-Baker V.F.W. Post No. 4633 of Hampden and a member of the Singles Club. After the death of his first wife, he married Grace (Vokes) in 1947 and they had four children, Trudy A. Hinds and husband, Jack, of Hampden, Stephen L. Porter and wife, Irvina, of Newburgh, Carol J. Perkins and husband, Robert, of Orono and David L. Porter, who predeceased him. After the death of Grace, he married Shirley (Sevey) Philbrick with son, Charles Philbrick and his wife, Rae, of Pittsfield, in addition to his children, he is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Clara Reed, Cleora McCoy, Dana Porter, Dorothy Richardson and Rodney Porter; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by wives, Ruth in 1945; Grace in 1978; Shirley in 1993; and by a son, Richard E. Porter Jr. in 1964; son, David L. Porter in 1995; and by a brother, Robert Porter. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday. Interment with military honors will be held after the service at Knowlton Cemetery, Newburgh. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com