Leslie Earl Porter

Remsen - Leslie Earl Porter died peacefully at the Masonic Home in Utica, New York on April 23, 2024. Les was born on August 29, 1937 to Alton Joel Porter and Ruby Pearl Leslie in Ogdensburg, NY.

A 1956 graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy, Les served as senior class president, quarterback of the varsity football team and played basketball, competing throughout the “North Country.” He grew up near the Saint Lawrence River and loved fishing, ice fishing, duck hunting and boating.

After graduating from high school, Les took a job with the New York Telephone Company where he advanced from climbing poles to senior management over his more than 30-year career. The job brought him to Oneida County where he made his home first in Rome, then in Grant, and finally and most fondly in “Remsen City, USA.”

Remsen, is where he devoted much time and energy to serving the community, first joining the Remsen Volunteer Fire Department in 1968. He was a member of the Remsen Central School Board of Education for 15 years, serving as board president from 1974 until 1976. From 1982 until 1989 he served as Remsen Town Supervisor. In 2017 he ended a 26-year run as Oneida County Legislator representing District 6. There he chaired the Ways and Means Committee and maintained close ties to the towns and villages he served. A favorite expression was “people helping people.”

In the early 1970s Les helped bring national country music acts to the Remsen Firemen’s Field Days and later often served as Master of Ceremonies at the Boonville Fair. An auctioneer since his youth, he donated his services to several charity auctions annually. Les was a Mason and a member of the Twitchell Creek Hunting Club.

Penny, his beloved wife of 52 years was always by his side. They met while working for New York Tel and married in 1972 in Whitesboro, NY. Together they operated a part-time auctioneering business for decades. He was most proud of his seven children—three daughters with Penny and his four eldest with former wife, Patricia Boak (neé Mullady); 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Les loved Christmas and kept the model train on the tracks under the tree for many years. He pitched tents and later towed a camper through the Adirondacks and along

the Saint Lawrence Seaway. He pulled toboggan loads of kids behind his “vintage” snowmobiles and hitched up his horse, Fire, for winter sleigh rides. He put a lot of worms on a lot of hooks for a lot of kids and grandkids and, occasionally, caught one himself. He hunted and fished and kept his boat running, his pack basket ready and a roll of black electrical tape handy. Les enjoyed a tall tale, a good laugh and a beer—or two.

In the late 70s Les’s work for the phone company took him to Lake Placid, NY to coordinate communication systems for the 1980 Winter Olympics. Twenty-five years later he was back in Lake Placid to watch his granddaughter, Erin Hamlin win a World Championship in Luge on her way to four consecutive winter Olympics. He had much to be proud of.

Les was predeceased by his parents, Alton and Ruby, his sister Geraldine and brother, Gerald and a sister Jean who died in childhood.

Leslie—“Les” “Lester” “Porter” “Dad” “Grampy”—leaves behind many to cherish their memories of him—his wife, Penny (née Shirley); children, Colleen (Bill) Kiefer, Eilleen (Ron) Hamlin, Scott (Christine) Porter, Doug (Suzanne) Porter, Amy (Scott) Jones, Becky (Dave) Ozog, Cortney (Shannon) Meeker; grandchildren, Patrick (Elenni) Kiefer, Hannah (John) Harwood, Ryan Hamlin, Erin (Jon) Hamlin Hodge, Sean (Ashley) Hamlin, Quinn and Elise Porter, Jessica, Jared (Delores) and Jake Porter, Adam and Andrew Jones, Matthew and Michael (Erin) Sypolt, Kade Ozog, Regan, Joshua and Luke Meeker, seven great grandchildren and three nephews. He is also survived by his dog Sammy, countless friends, hunting and fishing partners, cherished neighbors and respected colleagues.

The family expresses deep gratitude for the loving care provided by the dedicated staff at the Masonic Home.

His Funeral Service will be Monday, April 29, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with interment to follow in Fairchild Cemetery, Remsen. Calling hours are Sunday 2-6 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Les’s memory to The Masonic Care Community https://masonichomeny.org/giving/give/ Send a Kid to Camp, or to the Activities Department at the Masonic Care Community or to the Remsen Volunteer Fire Company P.O. Box 299, Remsen, NY 13438.