ISLAND FALLS – Robert “Pete” Porter, 63, passed away Dec. 14, 2011, in Bangor. He was born Jan. 6, 1948, in Island Falls, the son of Maurice and Leithea (Varney) Porter.
Pete grew up on a potato farm and was always a farmer at heart. Pete worked for Katahdin Trust Co. for 35 years, working in multiple capacities, including his most current position as vice president and commercial lending officer. He was a member and past master of Island Falls Lodge No. 206 and a 35-year member of International Association of Approved Basketball Officials No. 150. Pete loved the outdoors. Hunting and fishing with his family gave him some of the greatest joys of his life. His greatest passion was playing with his grandchildren and watching them at their games, concerts, school and church events.
In addition to his mother, Pete is survived by his loving family: wife, Judy; four sons and their wives, Jonathan and Jessica, Joseph and Misty, Jeremy and Crystal, and Jason and Kristen; grandchildren, that he loved with his whole heart, Payton, Nolan, Makaelyn, Camden, Jakoby and Rian Porter; sisters and their husbands, Elaine and Mike Nester, Lynne and Paul Lewallen, and Mary Smith; brother, Stephen Porter and his wife, Sharon Edwards; special nephews and their families, Benjamin and Marie Carlson, Eric and Amy Carlson,
Andrew Smith, TJ and Liza Ryan, Adam and Melissa Ryan, Devin and Danielle Ryan, Patrick York, and Jeremy York; mother-in-law, Louella Ryan; brothers-in-law, Tim Ryan and his wife, Pam, and Tony Ryan; and goddaughter and her family, that held a very special place in his heart, Jyll and her husband, Rob Smith, and their children, Maxx and Kenzie. He was a great friend to so many. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center. You have become like an extended family, especially Dr. Gass and Dr. Noack.
Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Southern Aroostook Community School gymnasium, 922 Dyer Brook Road, Dyer Brook, with Masonic services being conducted 7 p.m. by Island Falls Lodge No. 206. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, 110 Military St., Houlton. A reception will be immediately after at St. Mary’s Hall. Interment will be at Golden Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Southern Aroostook Community School Dollars for Scholars, 922 Dyer Brook Road, Dyer Brook, ME 04747 or Houlton High School Dollars for Scholars, 7 Bird St., Houlton, ME 04730. For an online memory book and to leave condolences, please visit
www.bowersfuneral.com.