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Frank Lee Porter

At age 89, Dr. Frank Lee Porter has left us.

He was son to Thomas Porter and Florence Tibbins, and baby brother to Wilma Fowler and George Porter, now all departed.

He is Grandpa to Britton Porter, Nick and Logan Groby; father to Scott, Jamie and Joy Porter; and loving husband of 57 years to Joan (Cousart) Porter.

Frank slipped away in his sleep in his home of 46 years in Masden Hollow at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018. Nearby were several close family members and his cherished cat, Cassie.

Born in Jersey Shore and raised in Florida, Frank served in the Army then used his GI Bill to earn a degree from the University of Florida. In multiple letters from his father, who valued education highly, Frank was strongly encouraged to continue his education and remain in teaching.

After Frank moved back to Jersey Shore, he met his wife, Joan, and went on to earn a Master of Arts from Bucknell University while teaching high school English.

Upon earning his degree, Frank began teaching Humanities at Williamsport Area Community College (now called Penn Tech) where he retired after 25 years of service.

A few years prior to his retirement, he earned a PhD in Philosophy, in Rhetoric and Linguistics, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and flew to his beloved Paris, France, to see the Louvre and celebrate his accomplishment.

Frank devoted his life to his three children, Scott, Jamie, and Joy, the words, “Love you, Sport”, never being far from his lips.

After his girls married, Frank expanded his love to his sons-in-law. Joy’s husband, Rob, spent hours with Frank talking and watching their favorite sport, tennis, and sipping wine.

Frank’s other great loves were literature, writing, music, art, and theater. He was an accomplished poet, played the cello for Lock Haven Community Orchestra and acted and sang in plays and musicals at Millbrook Playhouse and in other theaters.

An additional passion was fitness and health, his simple credo being, “A healthy mind in a sound body”. This was exemplified by his devoted patronage of the Lock Haven YMCA and the Ross Library. Franks penchant for a fit mind and body allowed his family and friends many more years of his charming, gentlemanly company.

There will be a small service of family and close friends gathering to celebrate Frank’s life on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Unity Church of Jesus Christ, 2280 Commercial Blvd, State College.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lock Haven YMCA, 145 E. Water St., Lock Haven, Pa. 17745.

Please remember to notify the YMCA that your donation is in memory of Frank L. Porter. His family is setting up a memorial endowment in his name.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.