Obituary of Cecil R. Porter

Cecil R. Porter, 86, formerly of Brooks, passed away at a Waterville hospital Tuesday, October 16, 2018. He was born June 6, 1932, in Robinson, Maine, the sixth of William E. and Geneva A. (Carmichael) Porter's thirteen children. He married Edith "Rosie" Raven, on July 6, 1952, and together they raised six children and enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage. As a child, Cecil had a strong work ethic from working in wood camps and fields; as an adult he made it his priority to be a good provider for his family. In January 1953 he was inducted into the US Army achieving the rank of Corporal; he served a year and a half in a field hospital in France during the Korean War. Upon his return, he made his home and raised his family in Brooks. He made many life-long friends in both Maine and around the country working as a truck driver until 1968 and then as an IBEW #1253 journeyman electrician from 1968-1991. Always enterprising, Cecil had several side businesses through the years including an oil delivery service, trucking business, a dairy bar and take-out that he built and operated, as well as owning and operating a working dump truck. Upon his retirement, Cecil provided constant, loving care for Edith through her many years of illness. He was always busy, puttering in his garden and garage, or lending a helping hand to others. Cecil greatly enjoyed visits from his family and watching his grandchildren grow. He found comfort in his faith, attending church services regularly in his later years. Cecil would always welcome friends into his home for a cup of coffee and something to eat. You would often hear them say, "Have no fear, C.R. is here" and never was that more true than in November 2000 when he saved a friend from dying in a gravel pit accident. He received an award for his heroism and was thankful to be in the right place at the right time. He is survived by his children, Vicki Rogers and husband, Scott of Unity; Jennifer Weber and husband, George of Windham; Lynelle Alexander of Brooks; Eric Porter and wife, Jan of Oakland; Lana Porter Schmitz and husband, John of Pittsburgh, PA; and Constance Dever and husband, Dennis of Southwest Harbor. He leaves behind many grandchildren: Fred Rogers; Cedric Rogers; Sarah Faatz and husband, Justin; Gabriel Conlon and wife, Emily; Justin Porter and wife Sarah; Chelsi Boiardi and husband, Michael; Anthony Greenlaw; Stephanie Greenlaw; Christopher Schmitz and Brooke Schmitz. Great grandchildren: Cailan Conlon, Joshua Faatz, Anna Faatz, Cameron Boiardi and Julian Boiardi. Also, a sister, Leila Cole of Houlton, and many nieces and nephews. Cecil was predeceased by his loving wife Edith, in 2001. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Wallace, Clarence, Guy, Glen, Carroll, Sidney; and sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Koch, Elva Littlefield, Ellen Roberts, Beulah Porter, and Marion Porter; and by his second wife, Gloria Lindsey Porter. The family would like to thank the caring staff and volunteers at Mount St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Inland Hospital and MaineGeneral Hospice in Waterville for taking such good care of their father.