Douglas Porto

1930 - 2020

Douglas Porto, age 90, formerly of Middletown and Bloomingburg, NY passed away in Boca Raton, FL December 21, 2020.
He was born in New Britain, CT on March 18, 1930, the son of Gladys Thompson Porto and Michael William Porto. He moved to Middletown, NY in 1945 when his father purchased a share of Wallace Oil Co. Inc.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Ruth and three children and seven grandchildren. His children are Deborah Caffrey (Brian) of Waynesville, NC and their children Aaron, Arden and Anna; Dawn Mendelsohn (David) of Framingham, MA and their children Rebecca and Daniel: DW Porto (Christine) of Middletown, NY and Hobe Sound, FL and their children Caitlyn and Joseph (Dani); and two nieces Marjory Barr of San Diego, CA and Barbara McDonough of Pahrump, NV. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Gladys Murphy.
Douglas "Doug" graduated from Middletown High School in 1948 and from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY in 1952 with a degree in Management Engineering.
In 1951 he met the love of his life, Ruth "Ruthie" on a blind date. Everything clicked and they married in 1952.
After serving in the Army he joined his father in business at Wallace Oil where he spent his entire business career with his good friend and business partner, Don Fischbeck. His son DW joined the company in 1980. Doug retired in 1990. DW subsequently sold a part of the business including the name Wallace Oil Co, continuing the business under the name of Alta East Inc. Doug also served as a trustee/director of Middletown Savings Bank (later MSB Bank) for 26 years. During his time on the Board MSB grew from one branch to 25 branches, went public, merged with Poughkeepsie Savings Bank and was sold to TD Bank.
He was a dedicated member of Grace Episcopal Church, Middletown, NY for several years serving on the Vestry, as Senior Warden and as Treasurer for 15 years. He was also very active in the in the community. Doug's proudest accomplishment was his time as a member of the 120 member Middletown Jaycees serving as president in 1962. He was honored to be appointed a lifetime JC International Senator in 1964. He was a 50year member of the Middletown Kiwanis Club, a 50year member of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co #1, served as a director of Horton Memorial Hospital, the Chamber of Commerce of Orange County and the Empire State Petroleum Association.
Since moving to Florida, he has been active in the Delray Beach Kiwanis Club, his condo association, and his retirement community, Saint Andrews Estates. Doug has worked in Palm Beach County as a volunteer at the Lord's Place, St. Lawrence Chapel and Boca Helping Hands. He and Ruth are devout members of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Boca Raton participating in several of its outreach programs.
To say that Doug was an avid METS fan since the METS inception in 1962 is an understatement. Over the years he attended several games at Shea Stadium in BOX 58E and most all the spring training METS games in Port St. Lucie since moving to Florida. His New York and Florida license plates "4 METS" were seen all over Orange County, NY and in Palm Beach County, FL. His home office walls and shelves are adorned with all sorts of METS memorabilia. His collection of NY METS year books, division, league and world series books is complete from 1962 to date. If he were able to take something with him, it would have been something to do with the NY METS!
Contributions can be made to either church's outreach programs. St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432 or Grace Episcopal Church, 58 North St, Middletown, NY 10940.