{"id":92189,"date":"2020-12-04T13:58:19","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T18:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=92189"},"modified":"2020-12-04T15:31:24","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T20:31:24","slug":"huntsville-remembers-ray-porter-gentleman-community-champion-friend-to-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/huntsville-remembers-ray-porter-gentleman-community-champion-friend-to-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Huntsville remembers Ray Porter: gentleman, community champion, friend to all"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

It’s not often that an entire community mourns one of its members. It speaks volumes about Ray Porter’s character that since hearing of his death this week, hundreds of current and former residents of Huntsville have taken to social media to extol the virtues of the gentle, kind, and friendly man.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

Ray was born in Cape Breton in 1939. After living in Toronto for a while, he made his way to Huntsville.<\/p>\n

Ray’s contributions to the local community were many. He was a constable in Huntsville’s police force in 1968. When the OPP began policing in the region, a decision he didn’t approve of, he became a bylaw officer for the town for more than 30 years. In both instances he went about his job in a friendly manner, keeping the peace with quiet good humour.<\/p>\n

Mayor Karin Terziano said in a media release today, “I will always remember Ray as a true gentleman. He was often seen doffing his cap and holding open the door for others. He truly made Huntsville a better community by being here.”<\/p>\n

Former Mayor Hugh Mackenzie said, “Ray Porter was a stalwart pillar in our community. He was gentle, friendly, and respectful. When I was mayor, he would salute when he saw me in public, to my embarrassment. And if Ray Porter were on the street when a funeral possession went by, he would stop, take off his hat, and stand at attention. That is the kind of guy he was.”<\/p>\n

He later became the crossing guard at Huntsville High School, a position he held until the day he had a stroke in 2015. He often tipped his hat at passing female motorists and always had a kind word for the high school students who passed by\u2014many of them refer to him as Mr. Porter to this day.<\/p>\n

\"An

An image of Ray Porter as a crossing guard at the high school has been shared on the sign outside the Algonquin Theatre.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ray was also a local volunteer firefighter for 19 years.<\/p>\n

Town of Huntsville flags were lowered to half-mast today in his honour.<\/p>\n

\"Town

Town flags were at half-mast on Dec. 4 in honour of Ray Porter.<\/p><\/div>\n

Ray volunteered with many local organizations, including the Huntsville Shriners Club and the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic group. He did charity work in hospitals for burn victims.<\/p>\n

Perhaps Ray’s most beloved role was that of Santa Claus. He began as one of Santa\u2019s helpers at the Eaton\u2019s on Main Street, where Pharmasave is now. Then, for decades, he rode the sleigh at the end of the annual Santa Claus Parade as the big man in red, delighting children with his jolly “ho, ho, ho”. But his holiday spirit didn’t stop there: he appeared at schools, nursing homes, the Legion, the hospital, and private parties, spreading Christmas cheer. He could also be found manning a Salvation Army kettle each year, helping to raise funds for those in need.<\/p>\n\n\t\t