Emmet T. “Bud” Porter

     PORTER, Emmett T. ‘Bud’, 84, MARS HILL, April 13, 2015. Interment will be at Kings Grove Cemetery later this spring. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.

    MARS HILL – Emmet T. “Bud” Porter, 84, passed peacefully April 13, 2015, at the Mars Hill Health Center. He was born in Mars Hill on October, 16, 1930, the son of the late Charles B. Porter and Gladys (Glidden) Porter.
    Bud grew up in Mars Hill graduating from Aroostook Central Institute in 1949. He graduated from Aroostook State Normal School in 1952 and Aroostook State Teachers College in 1953. He began his teaching career at the Junior High School in Mars Hill the fall of 1953 then transferred to Aroostook Central Institute in the fall of 1956. He retired from Central Aroostook High School (SAD 42) in 1988. During his 35-year career as a teacher, Bud was an advisor to the National Honor Society and Senior Class.
    Sports were a big part of Bud’s life. He played baseball and basketball while in school and then continued to play semi pro baseball. He was a charter member of IAABO Board #150, actively working games for 25 years including the tournament and New Brunswick. At the end of his officiating career, he was selected as an honorary member. He was a baseball coach from 1956-1964, leading his team to an Aroostook League Championship. He began coaching girls’ basketball and softball in 1969. His teams had winning records and won regional titles under his leadership. He was inducted into the UMPI Owls Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Maine Sports Legends in 2011.
    He was an active and dedicated member of his community. He served on the Mars Hill Town Council, the Mars Hill Utility District Board for 30 years and moderated many Town Meetings and SAD 42 Budget Meetings. He was chairman of the Charter Commission for Mars Hill. He was an initial organizer of the ACI Homecoming serving as Co-Chair of the Committee for many years.
    Bud was a 50-year member of the Aroostook Masonic Lodge #197 receiving his Grand Lodge Veteran’s Medal in 2014, serving as Master in 1967. He was a member of the Building Association Committee for 30 years serving as the secretary/treasurer many of those years. He was a member of Anah Shrine, Lunar Chapter OES and a Past Patron. He served on the Advisory Board for the IORG and received the Grand Cross of Color in recognition of his service.
    Bud also loved hunting and fishing, especially time spent with family and friends at his camp on #9 Lake. He participated in many moose hunts as a host and spotter and finally got his permit in 2012 bagging his own big bull. He was the President of the #9 Camp Owners Association for many years.
    Bud also enjoyed making maple syrup for over 40 years and operated Porter’s Maple Syrup. For many years, he worked summers as a painter/carpenter/handyman and during harvest break, he was a field boss for local farmers.
    Bud is survived by his three daughters, Diane Libby and husband, Roger, of Mars Hill, Cindy Porter-McLaughlin and her fiancé, Mark Savage, of Glenburn, and Althea Holz and husband, Thomas, of Oakland; his wife of 11 years, Gwendolyn McBurnie of Wade; and her children, Michael of Wade, and Jeffrey and his wife, Kimberly, of Holden; his brother, Ronald Wallace and his wife, Elaine, of Augusta; a sister-in-law, June Bagley Flye of Clinton; nine grandchildren; several nephews, nieces, cousins and countless friends.
    He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Jean Bagley Porter; a son, Emmett Ronald Porter; a daughter, Claire Vivian Porter; his sisters, Vivian Crabbe and Joy Galante.
    Friends called 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday April 17, 2015, at Duncan Funeral Home, 8 Main St., Mars Hill, where a Masonic service was held at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Central Aroostook High School, Mars Hill, with the Rev. Mark Carter officiating. Interment will be at Kings Grove Cemetery later this spring.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emmett “Bud” Porter Memorial Scholarship, C/O MSAD #42, Attn: Kathy Miller, PO Box 1006, Mars Hill, ME 04758 Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.