Walter Lyon Portugal

Walter Lyon Portugal peacefully passed away on December 28, 2022, at the age of 98. Walter was born on January 20, 1924, in New York City, the first son of Barnett Portugal and Irene (Grossberg) Portugal. At age 2, Walter distinguished himself as being the youngest survivor of Typhoid, which inspired his parents to give him his middle name of Lyon for strength. Walter attended New York City public schools and took courses at Columbia University.

Upon leaving High School, Walter was drafted into the Army Aircorps where he served in World War ll and earned the Air Medal for having completed 35 successful missions in only 18 months. Walter served as a Ball Turret Gunner, a very dangerous position, on a B-17 aircraft named the “Chicken Ship”. He met his future wife Mildred on the ‘Ed Sullivan Bond Tour” in 1942. Walter and Mildred were married in August of 1945 in New York City.

After the war and early in his career, Walter held various positions. He discovered his talent for Sales and Marketing and became an instrumental part of the Aerospace Industry working for many companies including Ford Instrument, Raytheon, Chrysler, and Phillips North America. Ultimately, he became the Director of Sales and Marketing for Phillips North America, Government Systems Division. Walter was best known for his marketing /public education contributions for the “First Flight into Space,” government contracts and sales for night vision and gyroscopic instrumentation. Throughout his career, he moved many times finally settling in Florida where he became a consultant for world renowned Oceanographer, Dimitri Rubicoff.

Walter and Mildred were married for 77 years and enjoyed traveling, exploring much of Europe. His interests included playing the drums as a young man, music especially Jazz and Big Bands, sports cars, photography, and being an early adopter of technology.

Walter is survived by his wife Mildred Lenore Portugal; son, Brian Portugal; daughter, Michele Portugal Lawson; along with Brandt Portugal grandson; granddaughters, Lindsay Ambrosino, Jenel Lawson-Meath, and Carissa Lawson-Austin, and four great grandsons and two great granddaughters.