GLOUCESTER – Manford “Manny” John Porter, of Gloucester, MA, 83, formerly a longtime resident of Marblehead, MA, passed away on February 2, 2021. He was the beloved husband of the late Kimberly (Allen) Porter and the loving companion of Pam Nolan of Danvers, MA.
Born at home in Marblehead, Manny was the beloved son of the late Manford L. Porter and Helen T. (Swiniarski) Porter. He was a graduate of Marblehead High School with the Class of 1956 where he was captain of the football and basketball teams. He received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1962 from Northeastern University, while playing both offense and defense on the football team and fishing to support his young family. Manny was the only member of the Marblehead High School Hall of Fame to be inducted with two sons at the same time in 2004.
Raised in a lobster fishing family, it was only natural that Manny would pursue it as a career at the helm of the family business. He was captain of many fishing vessels in his life: the “Donna”, “Helen T”, “Donna Marie”, “Manford L. Porter”, and the “Kenneth J. Duncan”. In the 1970’s, during the height of the cold war, Manny was a pioneer in the lobster industry. He ventured out to Georges Bank and the canyons of the Continental Shelf fishing in the 45’ wooden vessel “Donna Marie”. As his family fleet grew, he fought against the massive international vessels that tried to crush him and his crew members. He then helped with the effort to enact the sovereignty over waters 200-mile fishing limit for the United States in 1982. For decades, Captain Manny taught his sons and many other family and crew members about the fishing industry, both on and off the waterfront. He became a legendary and respected fisherman along the Atlantic Seaboard.
After retiring from fishing, Manny became a salesman at Patriot Seafoods in Salem, MA, working alongside his son and daughter, where he enjoyed teaching his knowledge of seafood. There wasn’t a fish Manny didn’t like to catch, cook and share with his friends and family. He specialized in his famous “Manny’s Seafood Chowder”, lavish five course meals, and of course, Popovers. Manny was also known for captivating an audience while spinning tales of his perilous adventures at sea.
Manny was the loving father of the late Michael S. Porter; Sandra M. Porter and her partner, Max Sharma of Swampscott; Craig M.J. Porter and his partner, Erica Owen of Manchester by the Sea, and Christopher L. Porter and his wife, Jennifer of Danvers; the cherished grandfather of Olivia Porter-Henry and her husband, Eric Henry, Jackson Porter, Grace Porter, Sophia Porter, Ava Porter, John Manford Porter, Gavin Porter and Lindsey Porter; great-grandfather of Emmitt Henry; dear brother of Lauretta Johnson of Marietta, GA, Kathy Collin of Georgetown, MA, Virginia Porter of Seabrook, NH., Thomas Porter of Sedgwick, ME, William Porter of Marblehead, MA, and the late Frank Porter of California; the loving stepfather of Heather Allen and step-grandfather of Jared Grace, both of Gloucester, MA. He is also survived by his former wife, Donna (Cogswell) Porter of Peabody, MA; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass followed by a private burial will be held on Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA with COVID 19 attendance restrictions in place. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Manny Porter’s memory to The Marblehead Gridiron Club, P.O. Box 505, Marblehead, MA 01945 or mhdgridiron.com. Arrangements are under the care of Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead. To share a memory or offer online condolences, please visit EustisandCornellFuneralHome.com.
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