Jack H. Porter

Jack H. Porter, 90, passed away on March, 13, 2026 at the Summercrest Senior Living Community in Newport, NH. He was a leap-year baby born February 29, 1936 in Rochester, NY and an only child raised by his mother Isabelle. In high school, he was a swimmer and diver and lettered in Lacrosse and Football. Jack enlisted in the US Navy Reserves in 1954 and later graduated from Dean Junior College where he became an All-American diver. In 1957, he and a few diving buddies started the dive troupe, The Dizzy Denizens of the Deep. The troupe, known for their "comedy divers" who performed slapstick, were the grandstand attraction at the 1957 Monroe County Fair. The feature event was Jack's dives executed with professional form and his signature 85-foot "fire dive". For several seasons, he was a lifeguard at Lake Ontario's Seneca Park and Charlotte Beach where he set long-standing lifeguard records. He also served as a scuba diver assisting Rochester, NY and local police departments when needed.

A storyteller to the end, everyone who met Jack was likely to hear a story from his youth on either fishing with Uncle Bill or Tom Foster, playing the trumpet with Chuck Mangione, the Dizzy Denizens or some otherwise playful shenanigans with his many brothers-in-law and buddies.

On April 12, 1958, he married his love, Patricia J. Caprio and they remained married for 63 years until her passing in 2021. For many years, they remained in the Rochester, NY area and brought 6 children into their world before relocating to Springfield, VT in the fall of 1970 to be the manager of Vermont National Bank. After 30 wonderful years in Springfield creating a lifetime of memories with family and so many close friends, Jack and Pat decided to move to Leesburg, FL in 2001. Early on in Florida, both Jack and Pat were often seen on the senior swimming circuit earning State level accolades along the way. Jack's original family of 8 has grown to well over 30.

Jack was very fond of his involvement in the Springfield Swim Team both as a coach and later as long-term starter and supporter of both swimming and diving. He and Pat could also be seen at countless sporting events cheering on their children and their Cosmos teammates at the pool, on the field or on the court and carried that spirit to college sporting events. He also enjoyed fishing in Maine among other "spots" and was well known for his woodworking skills. He was often found in his woodshop in Vermont and later in Leesburg, FL. Every item he created has a signature and a story.

Jack was predeceased by his loving wife Patricia, daughter Michelle and granddaughter Nicole. He is survived by daughter Linda Lewis (Patrick), son Michael Porter (Allison), daughter Shannon Porter, son Kevin (Kris) and daughter Patty Deschaine (Rick). His grandchildren: Rachelle, Adelle, Makenzie, Callahan, Mary, Jeremy, Nick, Nate, Megan and Jenna. Great Grandchildren: Harrison, Tedy, Isabella, Callahan & Adeline.

A Celebration of Jack's life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of his daughter, Michelle Porter and his granddaughter, Nicole Lewis. A special thank you from the family to John, Anne, Samantha, Dara and Nick and everyone at Summercrest Senior Living for the patience and care they provided for dad. Thank you to the folks at Hawthorne down in Leesburg for all your love and support for Dad after mom passed.