Ned Portoghese

Ned Portoghese

Ned Portoghese, 90, of Charlottesville, died Saturday, December 5, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family singing some of his favorite songs.

He was born May 21, 1919, in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late Girolamo and Ignazia Portoghese. He also was preceded in death by his brother, John Portoghese; and his sister, Jean Hunter.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marie Portoghese; his daughters, Nacia Miller and her husband, Marc, of Toronto, Canada, Josie Loyd of Charlottesville; and former son-in-law, George Pipkin and his wife, Barbara Strauss; grandchildren, Cora Houghton of Charlottesville, Rachel Copeland and her husband, Reggie, of Fairfax, Laurel Smith and her husband, Jedd, of Charlottesville, and Aaron Miller of Toronto, Canada; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, including Frank Cipolla Jr., who was a great support to the family during Ned's last days; sister-in-law, Francis Cipolla; and brother-in-law, Frank Cipolla Sr.

He also leaves to cherish his memory, countless friends in his neighborhood, at the Senior Center, at the Dante Society and in many other areas of his life where his good humor and kindness touched lives and left warm memories.

Music was his number one passion. He also loved to walk and to read and continued to read at least two newspapers every day. He sang in a community chorus in New York and joined a theatre group, performing numerous roles, including his favorite role of Big Julie in Guys and Dolls. His favorite books included anything Dickens ever wrote, "Doctor Zhivago," "Exodus" and Alex Hayley's "Roots," which he recently reread. His favorite saying was "Honor your commitments," and the issue about which he felt most strongly was civil rights. He never let a slur go unchallenged and taught his daughters to be tolerant of and to celebrate diversity. He was a warm, funny and good-hearted man who will be missed by all who knew him.

The family wishes to thank all the Hospice nurses and aids who helped during his illness. They were all loving and caring people.

A funeral service will be held 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at Church of the Incarnation.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Teague Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the MS Society and Hospice of the Piedmont.

Friends may sign the guest register at www.teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.