John Ross Porter

HODGDON - HODGDON - John Ross Porter, 58, passed away peacefully May 8, 2016, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, after a 37-year struggle with diabetes. John was born November 29, 1957, in Bangor, the son of Paul and Glynn (Geyer) Porter. 

John graduated from The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ,  in 1976. After a gap year, he graduated from the University of Maine in 1982 with a degree in computer science. John's life-long love of computers took him into a career as a computer programmer with his last position held at Telcordia Technology in Piscataway, NJ. John moved to Houlton in 2006 and continued his work with Telcordia from his computer at Homestead Farm.  As his diabetes worsened John had to give up his job and found himself in need of intense care. The love, care and support materialized as an angel named Theresa with her willingness to take care of her "dear friend" at her home in Hodgdon.  There are not enough words of gratitude our family can express to Theresa Toner for all the years she lovingly cared for John's needs, she was his rock. We are also grateful to the caregivers that came daily and to the drivers that transported John to his dialysis treatments. During  his growing up years John's favorite place was Nickerson Lake, where his parents had a summer camp. John loved all lake activities, especially jumping off the swinging rope, and had wonderful childhood memories with family and friends. John always had an interest in tinkering with anything mechanical, solving puzzles and mathematical challenges. 

He is survived by his mother, Glynn of New Limerick; his children, Ross and Jason of Ft. Myers, FL, and Jessica of Durham, NC, from a marriage to his ex-wife Nina; his brother, Steven and his wife, Jill, of Ludlow; a niece, Sarah Porter of Fort Lauderdale, FL; an aunt, Lois Simpson of Brick, NJ; two special cousins, Erin and Colleen also of NJ; plus friends and classmates from The Lawrenceville School. John was predeceased by his father, Paul. The family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors that cared for John the past 3 weeks.

A celebration of his life will be held 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water Street, Houlton. No formal services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Nickerson Lake Conservation Fund, 2 Kelleran St., Suite 2, Houlton, ME 04730. For an online memory book and to leave condolences, please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.