Obituary Overview
Porter, Jack Richard
Jack Richard Porter, 82, of Kitchener, Ontario passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Riverside Glen in Guelph, Ontario.
Jack was born January 6, 1936 to Frank and Katherine (née Trafidlo) Pokryfka in Kitchener, Ontario. He lived most of his life within a short distance of his childhood Strange Street home. On June 27, 1964 he married Phyllis (née Sackett) of St. Louis, Missouri. After living there briefly they returned to Kitchener where Jack worked in construction his entire life, earning his ticket as a Steamfitter. After initially working with the tools he served honourably as business manager for Local 527 for consecutive terms from 1968 until retirement in 1998, creating a legacy by endlessly advocating for fair wages, benefits and working conditions for his brothers in the trade. After spending almost four decades in their custom-built home in Heidelberg, Jack and Phyllis recently down-sized to a house back in Kitchener.
Jack was a tireless worker at his career and around the home tackling endless “little jobs”, but enjoyed spending time hosting family and friends, playing cards, darts, billiards and games of chance, singing the music of his youth, taking fishing trips, watching hockey and going on long runs then, later in life, walks. A devout Catholic, the teachings of the church played an important guiding role throughout Jack’s life.
Jack is survived by his wife Phyllis, children Catherine (Andrew Burchat), Phillip (Eliza Zaranek), Kevin (Stacy Klein) and John (Lesley Hill), ten grandchildren who gave him great joy in his final decades (Christopher, Natalie, Griffin, Colin, Stewart, Nicholas, Jacob, Emilee, Oliver and Nola), sisters Eileen Grayhurst and Amelia Furzer and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends a heart-felt “thank you” to the wonderful, attentive staff of Emma’s Neighbourhood at Riverside Glen who filled Jack’s final days with smiles and a caring touch. A memorial visitation will be held at the Memory Gardens Funeral Home 2723 Victoria St. N. on Friday April 13, 2018 from 6 – 8 p.m. Family and friends will be received at the St. Boniface Church on Saturday April 14, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the St. Boniface RC Church in Maryhill. Interment to follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jack’s name to Canadian Food for Children, House of Friendship, or other local charities.
If so desired a book of online condolences may be signed at www.memorycemetery.ca
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jack Richard Porter 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Breslau, Province: Ontario