Listen Up! A Christmas story | Commentary

Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler

For many years during the time that the Rice family published the Huntsville Forester, their editorial just before Christmas was a reprint of a famous reply, written by Francis Pharcellus Church, in response to a letter sent to the New York Sun by eight-year-old Virginia Hanlon, in which she asked, “Is there really a Santa Claus?”

The title of the replying editorial was, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

Much has been written this past week about the passing of Ray Porter, a beloved member of our community. There is not a lot left to say, but I am going to try, as today I can think of nothing more relevant or more important to write about. Because, in many ways, Ray Porter was living proof that yes, indeed, there is a Santa Claus.

I first met Ray and his wife Bev shortly after they came to Huntsville in 1968. We were neighbours, both living on Fairy Avenue at the time, and the Porters’ home is still there. Between our two homes lived special mutual friends, Marion and Bill Nickalls. When we spent personal time together with the Porters, it was usually with the Nickalls. Over about half a century, Bill and Ray and I shared more than a few glasses of Bacardi rum, a beverage the three of us enjoyed, while spinning tall tales and yarns and just appreciating each other’s company.

Soon after Ray came to Huntsville, he became a Town police officer. We still had a local force in those days and Ray loved the job. He was good at it too, especially with younger people, many of whom he got to know and help. Police discipline was a last resort. It wasn’t long after Ray arrived, however, that District government came into play and local police forces were disbanded. Ray thought it was a terrible idea and many, some to this day, agreed with him.

Ray went on to be a bylaw officer for the Town. He remained a fixture on Main Street, probably taking more time than he should have, emptying coins from the parking meters. That was because he stopped to talk to so many people that wanted to talk to him. He was just that kind of guy—a good will ambassador, still working to help people, to listen and, yes, to laugh.

Ray also acted as a crossing guard, at first at the corner of Centre and Main for kids coming from Huntsville Public School. Then, for many years he held court as a crossing guard at the high school. And in addition to keeping everyone safe, holding court was exactly what Ray Porter did. As one person said, “he knew every kid in the school.” They respected him, they listened to him, often they sought his advice, and many remember him fondly to this day. He was not only a crossing guard, as important as that was, he was also a friend and a mentor.

Then, of course, there is what Bev refers to as Ray’s “other persona”. To generations of young people and to many of us who are older, he was Santa Claus. It started more than forty years ago when Rusty Allemano, who was the manager of Eaton’s in Huntsville, asked him to fill in for Santa, who was busy at the North Pole.

Ray didn’t hesitate and never stopped. Christmas was his very special time of year. He brought cheer to thousands of people, young and old, in Huntsville and beyond. He has had more people on his lap than anyone I know! If Santa was needed, Santa was there, whether it was a shopping mall, a store, a school, a parade, a Christmas party (of which there were many), or just walking down the street, shaking his bells and waving. Santa was all in!

When I was talking to Bev yesterday, I asked her if she was Mrs. Claus. “No,”, she said, “I was Rudolph!” I was a little taken aback, but she went on to say, Santa went to so many places, she was the driver, making sure he was all right and that he got to where he was supposed to be, on time and with the right sack of presents. Just like Rudolph.

Those who knew Ray Porter well will not be offended when I say that Ray was not a complicated person. What you saw was what you got and who he was. There was not a pretentious bone in his body. He was a man who practised the Golden Rule.

Ray was a gentleman of the first order. He would bow to the ladies and stand when they entered a room. When in uniform, he would doff his cap and stand at attention when a funeral procession passed. He would salute the mayor and if someone had a title, like doctor or reverend, he used it. He abhorred confrontation and, when faced with it, would simply shrug with his hands and walk away.

Ray was also a beloved husband of 59 years. Yesterday, Bev said to me, “If all the men on this earth were like Ray, there would be no such thing as divorce.” What a statement.

There have been many warm tributes to Ray Porter on Doppler and on Facebook. One, from long-time Huntsville businessman Bill Weber, particularly caught my attention.

He said, “Our town is truly blessed with natural beauty, many great businesses and wonderful facilities. But the true measure of how blessed a community is, is the good people who care, and watch for and help others. Ray was one of these extraordinary people.” How true.

In many ways, the life of Ray Porter is a Christmas story. Not THE Christmas story, but a story for Christmas all the same.

All mortals eventually leave this earth. Santa Claus does not. Whenever I see Santa again, I will know that somewhere in there, Ray Porter is smiling.

So, yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.

Hugh Mackenzie

Don’t miss out on Doppler!

Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!

Click here to support local news