Michael Albert Porto

December 4, 1951 – March 12, 2019

Michael Albert Porto, of Pasadena and Rancho Mirage, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at home on Tuesday afternoon, March 12, 2019. He was 67. Mike was born on December 4, 1951, in Los Angeles, beloved son of the late Albert L. and Angelina Chiesa Porto Sr. formerly of New Haven, CT. His mother was the first employee and Assistant Administrator, Nursing Services, at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center and his father founded and operated the Albert L. Porto & Son Funeral Homes located in New Haven, Hamden and West Haven, CT., before retiring to San Gabriel.

Mike grew up in San Gabriel and attended San Gabriel High School. He worked at Duqal Trucking Co. in Vernon earning his way through college at California State Polytechnic University – Pomona where he received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1975 and later his Masters in Urban Planning.

After working as a planner for the City of Irvine, he co-founded Stevenson, Porto and Pierce (SP2) with partners John Stevenson and William Pierce in 1985, where he served as principal planner. Mike was highly respected as a contract planner for the California cities of Los Altos Hills, Hercules, Danville, Brentwood, Livermore and Culver City. He served as primary contract planner for the City of Dublin from 1996 to 2016, and then the cities of Burbank and Hayward to present.

Mike was an avid lover of architecture and design. His professional licenses, registrations and affiliations included American Planning Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pasadena Heritage and Palm Spring Modernism Committee.

A collector of Roselane pottery, manufactured in Pasadena from the 1930s through the 1960s, his extensive collection was respected among curators. Many of the pieces from his collection were individually selected and loaned to the Pasadena Museum of History for the “Cast and Fired: Pasadena’s Mid-Century Ceramics Industry” exhibit.

Mike was also an enthusiast and collector of classic automobiles and well-known for his deep knowledge and attention to detail. He served on the National Board of Directors of Packards International for 20 years. He was a member of Great Autos of Yesteryear and served as its treasurer, membership director, vice-president and president.

He was also active in the Lincoln Continental Owners Club; Cadillac-LaSalle Club, National DeSoto Club, Southern California Imperial Owners Club, Antique Automobile Club of America, and Classic Car Club of America where he served as a Director for the Southern California Region.

Mike’s expertise was acknowledged in his service as Assistant Chief Judge for the San Marino Motor Classic. His knowledge has been described as “encyclopedic and experienced in all facets of the hobby.”

His passions also included his treasured dogs, having raised four Scottish Terriers, two of which survive him, Hedy and Holden.

Personally and professionally, Mike was a trusted friend, mentor and humanitarian; beloved brother, uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle, cousin, and partner. He is survived by his life partner of 31 years, Gary Carr of Pasadena; sister Anne Marie Porto DeLucia, niece JoAnn DeLucia and nephews Clement L. (Linda) DeLucia all of Hamden, CT. and Albert M. (Maria) DeLucia of North Haven, CT.; grandnephew, grandnieces and their children.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Scottish Terrier Rescue of Southern California, P.O. Box 3991, Huntington Beach, CA 92605, [email protected]; and St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue, 7125 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63126, www.stlouisscottierescue.com

A Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019; for details, please call 714-713-3076 or email [email protected].