Howard Charles Porter Jr.

Howard Charles Porter Jr., beloved son of the late Howard Charles Porter Sr. and Claire Porter of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 20th, 2024. He was the cherished eldest sibling of William Porter of Melrose, Massachusetts; Elizabeth D'Arcangelo of Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts; and Bradford Porter of Revere, Massachusetts.

Howard's life was marked by his deep love and devotion to his family. He was a treasured and loving husband to Anna May Porter, his lifelong soulmate for over 59 years and devoted caregiver for latter part of his life. He was the proud father to Howard “Howie” Charles Porter III, wife Wendy Porter, also a resident of Stoneham; Leianne McCorry, husband Robert McCorry of Tewksbury; and Kathleen Rich, husband James Rich of North Reading. His legacy lives on through his five adored grandchildren: Jack Porter Rich, Ty Patrick Rich, Caroline Claire Porter, John Howard Porter, and Robert Vincent McCorry.

Howard will be remembered always for his loving, happy, and charismatic personality that touched so many lives. A personality that embodied a true love of God, family, and country. A friend to all and a stranger to none, he was a true Renaissance man, thoughtfully memorialized for his contributions to the art world and to the community, particularly through his personal art group, The Porter Art Group. Through this platform, he inspired people—young, old, disabled, and abled—to share art, poetry, and music, all things he loved deeply.

In his young adult years, he joined the National Guard, where he faithfully served his country for close to 7 years during the Vietnam era. Upon his honorable discharge, he started his career and was a devoted member of SMW Local 17 for which he belonged for over 35 years.  Once married in 1965, he soon purchased the family home on High Street in Stoneham and there he raised his children and lived out his days for over 55 years. He was deeply immersed in the Stoneham community and an active parishioner in St. Patrick’s Parish. Early on, Howard also started a small local business, Little Girl’s Dream House, in Stoneham Square, where he built dollhouses on demand as a creative outlet after work hours, some of which were bought, delivered, and displayed around the nation.  It wasn’t until his retirement years that he fully committed to his creative pursuits and work in the community.

Among his many recognitions, The Porter Art Group, as mentioned above,  which also became a popular local cable show for years,  Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day parade in 2017, voted Citizen of the Year in 2002, his art and poetry has been displayed at the State House, and countless other highly visible works of art can be found on display in various homesteads, restaurants, and businesses. 

Howard will also be forever appreciated for his contributions to the fight against Parkinson's disease, which eventually took his life after an extraordinary 35-plus-year courageous battle. His battle was marked by participation in years of clinical trials at Boston University.  His participation in these trials far surpassed his chance at a cure, but he maintained a selfless focus on providing hope to others who were just starting their journey with the disease.  He was notably a part of the 2006 World Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Washington D.C., along with Michael J. Fox, where he proudly displayed his abilities, not his disabilities, and his story was widely shared as to how to “live” with Parkinson’s.  Personally, he invested countless years of education about the disease, and he led many support groups for other sufferers and caregivers at various senior centers and nursing homes throughout the state.

Above all, Howard was known mostly for his love and dedication to his family, a love that lives on in perpetuity in the hearts of his wife, children, and grandchildren—all proof positive of a life truly well lived.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Howard's Family on Friday, May 24th from 8am - 9:30am in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Howard's Eternal Life will be held on Friday, May 24th at 10am in Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street Stoneham. Interment Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome