Bruce R. Porter, 81, went home to be with his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Saturday, May 1, 2021, after a battle with cancer. On March 28, 1940, Bruce began his life on the family farm in Baldwinsville where his passion for farming developed into a lifelong career.
After graduating from Baldwinsville High School, Bruce attended Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and became a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After graduation, he actively farmed Porterholm Farms for over 57 years in egg production, beef cattle and crop farming. For 25 of those years Bruce and Joan owned and operated Hencle’s Berry Patch, a u-pick berry business.
Bruce deeply loved his family, farm and country. He had a heart-felt love for his neighbors and thoroughly enjoyed sharing life with them. He was a man with a strong, honest work ethic. In the early 1970s, Bruce partnered with other farmers to establish a local agricultural district within the county through the NYS Agricultural Assessment Program. He served the Onondaga County agricultural community in various roles: Young Farmers and Ranchers, Farm Bureau president, ASCS Board and Baldwinsville Farmer’s Cooperative president. In other community service, Bruce resided on the Van Buren Town Planning Board and was a trustee of the Baldwinsville First Presbyterian Church. Bruce was also a member of the NYS Berry Grower’s Association. In the latter part of his life he attended Faith Baptist Church, Baldwinsville.
Bruce is pre-deceased by his parents, Donald and Dorothy Porter, and brother, John Porter. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Joan Porter, and three children: Kelly Porter-Terrell (Tom,) Eric Porter (Debbie) and Brian Porter (Sonia.) Bruce is also survived by his sister, Judy Norris and adopted sister, Sue Heck, five grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bruce’s body has been donated to the Anatomical Gift Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University for medical education. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Baptist Church, Baldwinsville, or to Hospice of Central New York.
A celebration of life service will be held at Faith Baptist Church, 7312 Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Receiving of friends will precede the service from 12:30-2:30 p.m. The service will also be available to watch online at: tinyurl.com/fbc7312
Our family is thankful to everyone for their love, prayers and support. Leave condolences at mathewsonforani.com.
