James John Porter

James John Porter, age 82, of Fairfield, Connecticut passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the VA Hospital in West Haven after his long battle with cancer.

Jim was born August 2, 1942 in Norwalk, Connecticut and was a graduate of Norwalk High School.

Jim is survived by his daughter Serena Lynn Phelps and her partner Tom Gatzen, his granddaughter Kylee Phelps, and his stepson Olu Terebo and his wife Rachel Chasse-Terebo. Also Jim leaves his nephew William H. Porter III and his wife Cathy and family, his niece Debbie Volante and her husband Steve and family, and his nephew Douglas Oravez. Also his cousin Carole Huse, his sister Dolores Reed, and neighbors George and Maria.

During his last years he was able to renew his friendship with his first wife, Amy Owen and her spouse, Berkley Owen.

Jim was predeceased by his mother Elizabeth (McCabe) Porter, his father William H. Porter, his second wife Joan (Wasko) Porter, his brother William H. Porter Jr and sister-in-law Jane, his sister Dorothy Oravez and her husband Julius Oravez, whom he loved like a brother, his stepmother Lillian Porter, his stepson Gary Greco, and his lifelong friend, William Hamlett.

Jim proudly served in the Marine Corps from September of 1961 to September of 1964. He reached the rank of Lance Corporal (E3) in engineering. He had many memories of this time as a Marine, one of which was being stationed at Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis and seeing the jets flying overhead.

He worked at Firing Circuits in Norwalk from the time he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1964. There he met his second wife, Joan, who worked with him.

Jim loved fixing things and tool shopping was pure joy for him. Going to Home Depot was like a kid in a candy shop. Jim loved spending time in nature, gardening to attract hummingbirds, growing tomatoes, and he loved to go fishing; finding lesser known spots along the Connecticut river.

Jim was a moral and caring person. His family will love and miss him with all their hearts.

We would like to thank the nurses at the VA who Jim would say were like family to him. To Julie, Janet, Vera, Joseph, Victor, June, Aggie, and all the nurses and staff, we are truly grateful to you. Thank you.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Monday April 28, 2025 at 1:30 pm at Riverside Cemetery in Norwalk. The Raymond Funeral Home in Historic Norwalk has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.Rayond.Care to leave an online condolence for the family.

Jim wished any memorial donations to be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org .