Obituary of Sandy Porter Jr.

Salem – Ralph Cameron “Sandy” Porter Jr. 79, beloved husband of Antonia “Toni” (Zapantis) Porter, died Monday, March 30, 2020 at the Naples Community Hospital in Naples, FL with his wife by his side. Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Ralph Cameron Sr. and Kathleen (Rooney) Porter. He received his education in the Salem and Norton school systems and earned a bachelor’s degree from Salem State College. An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country during the Vietnam Era as a member of the United States Air Force. Mr. Porter had been employed for many years as a contracted computer programmer having worked for many institutions including the Commonwealth of Mass., Fanny Farmer, Tyco, Honeywell and Bose. In recent years, Sandy had his dream retirement job as a starter at King Rail Golf Course in Lynnfield. To say Sandy was an avid golfer is an understatement. He enjoyed the game his entire life and loved playing with his friends and family alike, loved watching it on TV and took a week’s vacation to run the score keeping at the local LPGA tournament for years. He was a longtime member of the Wenham Country Club and Thompson Country Club where he forged many friendships, played in the club championship and enjoyed success at the game. Over the past several years he was a mainstay on the courses at Foxfire Country Club in Naples where he spent the winters with his wife, Toni. There they enjoyed trivia nights, music and dinners with friends at local haunts and swimming in the pool. Sandy was a generous, kind gentleman with a wit to knock your socks off. He enjoyed Keno, playing cards, joking with his brother, Henry, sending terrible jokes via email and an ice-cold Bud (or two). His family and friends feel so grateful to have had him in our lives. In addition to his wife, with whom he shared 51 of marriage, he is survived by his loving daughter, Heidi Porter and her companion, Brian Peavey of Beverly, his brother, Henry Porter of Salem and his three nieces. He was also the brother of the late Margaret “Peggy” Galloway. His funeral services were private and a celebration of Sandy’s life will be announced at a later date. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA.