May 26, 2021
"I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky"
On 26 May 2021, John Latham Porter, after a short illness, slipped his moorings one last time and set sail on his final voyage.
Launched in Liverpool, John was fascinated by the sea from early childhood. Glasses, however, soon precluded a career in the Royal Navy. Raised in the suburb of Heswall, John attended The Leas, Rugby and, after a two year stint in the Navy, Brasenose College, Oxford, before joining the family hospitality business, which included food service on the Liverpool docks.
While working in Chicago, to "learn how the Americans did it", he met Page Harrison. Married in 1952, they were together for nearly 65 years.
Returning to England with his bride, along came son, Christopher, and more sailing. In 1956, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal where John pursued his CA designation, winning the Quebec Order's Gold Medal in 1960.
After a stint at Nesbitt Thomson, he joined Concordia University and started a career in university administration. Also came Lightning class sloop Westerly I. His career took him from Montreal to Saskatoon, Winnipeg and, finally, Swaziland, and he found sailing wherever he was.
John and Page, and Westerly IV, retired to Duncan, "where the water was wet 12 months of the year". There John was also active in Rotary and, then, Probus, curling, lawn bowling and with the Cowichan Valley Museum Society. His accounting was kept active as treasurer of various organizations including Duncan Manor.
At 85, John finally "swallowed the anchor". Even to the end, however, he was always watching the sky and the wind.
Predeceased by Page (Admiral) and Brother David (Purser), he is survived by Christopher (First Mate) (Rosalinda), Grandchildren (Able Seamen) Anthony (Erin) and Rebecca (Mike), Great-Granddaughter Emma (Ship's Baby) and nieces and nephews Jane, Timothy, Andrew and Sarah.
"And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over"
Funeral services were compassionately provided by H.W.Wallace and online condolences may be made at www.hwwallacecbc.com
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre