Richard N. Porter

Rick was a familiar face in the Swansea community, and anyone who knew him knew he did what he loved. Motors, boats, or anything that floated…if it needed fixing (and a story or two along the way), Rick was your man. Work for him was never work; it was simply a good day spent doing what he enjoyed most.

Born on December 29, 1953, in Taunton, Rick developed a love for the water at a young age. He began his lifelong career in marine mechanics early on, taking motors apart just to see how they worked. That passion grew into a life spent as both a shell fisherman and a skilled marine mechanic. Along the way, Rick became known not only for his talent, but for his storytelling…sharing history lessons, local lore, and plenty of laughs with anyone who stopped by.

His shop was known as the go-to for vintage outboard motors that other, more commercially focused shops, wouldn't take on, where customers could rely on custom restorations provided thoughtfully and affordably from start to finish. Throughout his life, Rick epitomized values of restoration, resource conservation, and vintage repair now esteemed among tradespeople and collectors. Rick played a vital role in the ecological rehabilitation of our local waterways, acting as a local expert in the first-ever interstate transplant of quahog stocks from Rhode Island to Massachusetts.

Beyond the water, Rick was an antique car enthusiast who loved spending time in his shop, often with friends dropping in to talk, tinker, and solve the world’s problems. He also cherished family vacations to Disney World, first as a devoted dad and later as a proud grandpa, soaking in the joy of watching his grandchildren experience the magic.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Roger Porter and Faye (Carrick) Porter, and by his sister, Amy (Porter) Scanlon.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda (Sherman) Porter; his son Brendan Porter and daughter-in-law Kerry LePage of Swansea; his daughter Brittany Porter of New York; his brother Norman Porter and wife Deborah of Plymouth; and his sister Eileen Allison of North Providence. Rick was especially proud of and deeply devoted to his three grandchildren - Ava Porter (19), Lila Porter (15), and Chase Porter (12), who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and a great-nephew.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at Waring-Sullivan Birchcrest in Swansea. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, share stories, and celebrate the life of a man who had a gift for fixing things and making people feel at home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made by check to Project Spay, PO Box 445, Swansea, MA 02777.