William P. Pordon

PORDON, William P. 83, of San Diego, CA, formerly of Concord, died March 30, 2009, in San Diego. He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor G. (Haggett) Pordon. During World War II, he served as a radio operator in Italy in the 363rd Infantry Regiment. Mr. Pordon graduated from the Chicago Conservatory of Music, with both Bachelor and graduate music degrees. A violinist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, he then moved into Music Education, becoming Director of Music in Wayland, and Associate Professor of Music at UMass Lowell. He was a string clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor at many music festivals and competitions. He was a past president of the Mass. String Teachers Assoc., and the American String Teachers Assoc. (S. Calif. Chapter). Following his retirement, he moved to San Diego, where he continued to teach strings privately, inspiring others through music. In 2003, he helped found the Point Loma Univ. String Project, a lab school for string majors. He was also an avid fisherman, oil and watercolor artist, and boxing fan. Survivors include 2 daughters, Dorothy Pordon Bernard and her husband Edward of Concord and Judith Pordon, 1 son, Gregory Pordon and his wife Relinda of Galloway, N.J. and 2 grandchildren, Benjamin and Emily Bernard, both of Concord. A memorial celebration will be held on April 14th, 2009 from 7 - 9 pm at the Concord Art Association, 37 Lexington Road, Concord, MA. Private burial will be in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: The Lowell String Project, Dr. Kay G. Roberts, UMass Lowell, 35 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA 01854. For online guest book, visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com. Dee Funeral Home of Concord 978-369-2030 Caring for families since 1868