Obituary of Clarence Gilbert ” Gil” Porter

Clarence Gilbert "Gil" Porter, 93, of Duluth passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. He was born in Rochester, N.Y. to Clarence Monroe and Ruth (Lewis) Porter and raised in Montreal, Canada until he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of 18. On Nov. 12, 1944 Gil married Helen Theresa Wheeler. During his career he was a Master of the Coast Guard Cutter, Woodrush. He retired in 1965 as the Commander of the Port of San Francisco after 24 years of service. In 1965 Gil returned to Duluth to embark on his second career as a pilot on the Great Lakes. That same winter he and his friend Jack Saunders co-founded the Lake Carriers' Association Navigational School that produced numerous Great Lakes ship officers. In addition he made several trips to Brazil to serve as a Cargo Supervisor. After his retirement as a pilot in 1977, Gil launched his third career, starting the Duluth Magnetic Compass Service that he operated until 2012. Within that time he enjoyed many hours cruising, entertaining friends and family on his beloved boat, the Compass Rose. Capt. Gil Porter was an active member of the Duluth Marine Community, serving as Harbor Master, President of the Marine Museum and Treasurer of the Duluth-Superior Harbor Club. He was also a member of the Propeller Club, the Twin Ports Lodge of International Ship Masters and the ROMEO'S (Retired Old Men Eating Out). In 1979, he was named Harbor Man of the Year. Of all his titles, the one he was most honored to hold was grandpa. Gil was preceded in death by his wife, Helen in 2002; a son, Gilbert "Skip" Porter in 2009; and his sister, Jean. He is survived by his children, Ken (Kim) Porter of Santa Rosa, Calif., Cindie (Barry) Fadden) of Boston, Mass., and Lani (John) Paszak of Duluth; grandchildren, Jennifer (Flavio Garcia) Porter, Logan (Anna Shapiro) Porter Johnson, Kim (Joe) Sciallo, Amy (Afsheen) Lebastchi, Erin Andresen, Andrew Fadden, Tess Fadden, Mike Reese and Kat (Casey) Dierickx; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Coralie, Little Joe, Zach, Paloma and Evangeline; and many friends in the Marine Community. The family would like to thank Gil's caregivers, Shirley Walters, RaeAnne Carlson and Wendy Cloutier, for the loving care of their dad. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.