Alton Merton Porter, Jr.

COLEBROOK, NH — Alton ‘Merton’ Porter, Jr., 89, of Colebrook, left this life on Saturday evening, May 28, 2016, at his home in Colebrook, in the presence of his family and after a long period of declining health. He was born in Errol on March 20, 1927, the eldest child of the late Alton and Arvilla (Sweatt) Porter. At the age of 14, Merton was the janitor at the Errol School. He arrived early to light the fires, attended school there, and then drove loads of pulp wood to Berlin in the evening, two years before he could legally have a driver’s license. In 1944, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with honor with the American occupation force in Japan at the end of World War II, and in the Navy Reserve until the Korean conflict. Following his military service, Merton completed training in auto mechanics at Robert’s Technical School in Boston in 1952, and then worked with his dad at Porter & Sons Garage along the Mohawk River. It was there that he caught the attention of a persistent young woman, Pearl Beauchemin, who would come by frequently to “top off” the gas tank of her dad’s taxi. They discovered their home during a Sunday afternoon walk in the woods. Merton and Pearl were married at the Trinity United Methodist Church on May 9, 1953, and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary just two weeks ago. They had six devoted children and filled their home with happy memories and laughter. Merton held many jobs over the years to support his growing family, two of the most notable were WeLog, Inc. and the State of NH Department of Transportation, where he wrapped up his career retiring in 1989. Merton understood how mechanical things worked, could fix anything, and spent many years in 4-H sharing his knowledge with children in Colebrook. He loved games, telling stories, being with people and making them laugh. He loved his family and he loved to sing. Merton is survived by his wife, Pearl (Beauchemin) Porter of Colebrook; and their six children, Ruth and husband Alain Bouchard of Epping, NH, Lloyd Porter and wife Nancy of Gorham, ME, Nathan Porter and his wife Margaret of Newmarket, NH, Cindy Hicks and husband David of Colebrook, Mark Porter and wife Audra of Colebrook, and Faith Angevine and husband Michael of Stewartstown; six grandchildren, Renee and Thomas Bouchard, Kevin and Eric Porter, and David and Christopher Hicks; two great-grandchildren, Carson and Jackson Hicks; and five sisters, Alda Barnett and husband Malcolm of Errol, Lois Smith of Newport, VT, Eva Byard and husband Terry of Clarksville, TN, Mildred Pelletier of Swanzey, NH, and Sheila Beauchemin and husband Keith of Colebrook; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Norman and Wendell Porter, and two sisters, Arvilla ‘Evelyn’ Grenier and Gloria Sweatt. Calling hours will be on Saturday, June 4, 2016, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, with a graveside commital and military honors to immediately follow in the Colebrook Village Cemetery at 3 p.m. He will be carried by family and close friends to his final resting place. Following the service a celebration of his life will be held. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Alton Merton Porter, Jr.

March 20, 1927 - May 28, 2016