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BORN
February 04, 1959
DIED
November 14, 2024
Neil Porter Obituary
Neil wore many hats and touched countless hearts over his 65 years on this spinning rock. His larger-than-life persona will be dearly missed. He was a husband, son, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, nephew, and good friend. He enjoyed so many things about life, as a musician (no audience was too small), motorcycle enthusiast, talented woodworker and machinist, less-talented welder, and so much more. Many people have been the lucky recipients of crib boards made by Neil, as well as benefactors of his horticultural endeavors. Sailing and ukulele were his true passions over the last 15+ years. Neil often shared that there is a magic forcefield around his boat "Dark Star", that when you step through it all life's stresses and worries melt away. He was a proud boat-dad to many, and loved to mentor new and would-be sailors. Neil's ukulele family with the Friends of Music Society gave him joy.
Neil was proud of his work as an aircraft mechanic with the RCAF, and as a Mechanical Engineering Lab Technologist with Camosun College.
Of all his accomplishments, Neil was most proud of his daughters Colleen and Michelle, and his grandchildren Delilah, Tom, and Theo.
Neil had his own version of several philosophies that he lived by, especially:
"Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet" – William Butler Yeats(ish)
In lieu of flowers, Neil would be honoured if you donated to one of these important causes:
Friends of Music Society
BC Cancer Foundation
Or your local non-profit sailing club
Please email [email protected] for upcoming details of Neil's celebration of life.
Memories and Condolences
for Neil Porter
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
16 Entries
Lori King
February 14, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about this. I had been in touch and wish i had followed up sooner. Neil such a great guy and i enjoyed the years i was able to know him at curling and as friends. Such a terrible loss and i am send my condolences to Laurey and the twins.
April Good
January 25, 2025
I´m sad I didn´t remind him who I was last new years, but when I met him in April 2019 he told me if I´m on his boat I have to work as rail weight.. I thought he said "whale bait"! He was so cheerful & friendly! He was my sister Jen´s Skipper! Cheers to you Neil! And my love goes out to his wife and kids (and friends) on this difficult day!
Debbie, Glen and Niko
December 24, 2024
Dear Neil, you´ve been a dear friend for many years, we met back in 1992 when Glen met Laurey at Camosun College. You were there for us many times over the years, always offering a helping hand and kind heart with guaranteed belly laughter keeping us in stitches with your sense of humor. Early on you supported us when we were blessed to be parents and adopted Niko, you and your family took us in like family! You saw us through some difficult times and many good times followed! Your parents became pseudo-grandparents to our son and you always made us feel loved and welcome. Your hugs said it all! When we needed help with storage space you were right there offering your workshop and moving skills. When we pulled up to our new house in Victoria you were already there mowing our lawn, arriving early to surprise us! We shared many wonderful meals in your home, you could have patented the idea of Bed and Breakfast! We saw the proudest Dad at both your girl´s weddings and you as a funny, playful grampa with your grandkids. You warmed the hearts of your community with your ukulele and singing talent. Your passion and expertise for sailing with your crews crowns you the best team building Captain ever. Rosy cheeks, big smiles, splashing waves on the hull, leaning back and out as you pick up speed with taut sails on Vancouver Island´s coast. Many wonderful living large happy days. Thanks for being the one and only you. We will forever feel incredibly lucky and grateful that you were part of our lives.
Blessings to you Laurey, Colleen, Michelle, Arlie and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers, may you feel peace and be comforted by the immense love that surrounds you all. Smooth sailing Neil, you are surrounded by the hearts and minds of a loving crew as you sail into your sunset.
jennifer bilsbarrow
November 22, 2024
he was larger than life with a smile. You could never forget I hope wherever his journey takes him wind is back and he´s healing somewhere special.
Kelly and Cynthia Doerksen
November 20, 2024
Our heartfelt condolences to Laurey and family. We are the proud owners of not one, but two of Neil's special crib boards won at Sunday night curling - they were always high sought after and among the first things to disappear off the prize table. No matter what sheet we were curling on it was hard not to follow what was going on on Neil's sheet and what crazy shot he had dreamed up for Laurey or Vanessa to make. Win or lose, we could always count on Neil's good humour and good stories in the lounge afterwards.
Laureen Belland
November 20, 2024
We are so sad to know that Neil´s courageous fight has finally ended. We sang Riptide in honour of our special player , it was a song he loved....last night at FOM Avram spoke about Neil throughout our practise, there were a few intro´s to song that were Neil´s to lead. I will miss playing along side him so much. Paul, my husband, sailed and raced with Neil for so many years. Dark Star will be missed from the fleet.....we will miss his positive and welcoming way. Condolences to all the family members, you must all be so proud of him and we are so sad to hear of his passing, Laureen Belland & Paul Jenkins
Joy Egilson
November 18, 2024
What a wonderful, warm, generous human Neil was! Such zest for life and genuine caring for others. I am so grateful to have had the very great pleasure of knowing him - the easy laughs, and the conversations about all sorts of things, and what is really important. My heart is heavy for the Neil sized hole in the world - I will always remember you, my friend. My thoughts are with you, Laurey, and all the family that Neil loved so much.
Chris Stask
November 18, 2024
Sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. For a short time we worked together at the high schools teaching machining and welding. I will miss Neil in the racing circuit.
Rest in Peace Neil
Chris Stask
SV Inceptus
Ken Hackshaw
November 18, 2024
Heartfelt condolences to Neil's family and friends. Neil was a kind and gentle man. We always had pleasant chats whenever we met.
Bryan Ludwig
November 18, 2024
So very sorry that this world has lost Neil. He was such a very special person. I first met him at an exercise class where we shared that we had the dreaded "C" in common. His upbeat approach to the disease is something that I so appreciated learning from Neil. Condolences to Laurey and family
Ranjan Bhattacharya
November 17, 2024
I have fond memories of working with Neil at Camosun. His devotion to his students was truly inspiring. Neil was always willing to go the extra mile for his colleagues, whether it was lending a hand on projects or offering support during challenging times.
I will always remember his infectious laughter and approachability, which created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie in our workplace. His ability to connect with everyone made a lasting impact on our community.
To Neil's family, please accept my deepest condolences.
Charly and Grace Dorais
November 17, 2024
Who could forget Neil ! We met in Winnipeg and quickly become good friends. We have such great memories of way back then as well as during his quick trips to Nova Scotia.
Laurey and family our thoughts are with you, deepest condolences.
Blair Humphrey
November 17, 2024
I well remember Neil at Camosun. He was an excellent instructor.
He always had the students interest at the top of mind.
Blair Humphrey
Kenny Carver
November 17, 2024
I only met Neil once. Larger than Life. Kinder than Kind. He and Laurey treated my son Brendan as family. Holly and I are eternally grateful. Neil did it His way. What more could one ask.
Condolences and eternal Thanks to Laurey and family.
Cheryl Sparks
November 16, 2024
We were cousins that barely saw each other as children but as adults we were extremely close. He had a heart of gold and loved his family dearly. He will be missed by all. Sincere condolences to Laurey, Aunt Arlie, Michele and Colleen and the rest of the family. He will be with us in spirit for the rest of our lives. Love you dearly.
Dave Killion
November 16, 2024
Neil was maybe the most helpful person I ever met. I don't know what we will do without him.
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