Richard Allen “Dick” Portman 87 of Butler passed away, Wednesday July 29th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Good Samaritan Hospice, Cabot.
Born October 23, 1932 in Butler PA, he was a son of the late Edgar J. Portman and Ruth Nebel Portman.
Dick was a member at St. Peters RC church.
A graduate of Butler High School in 1951.
Joined the US Navy in 1953 and went to boot camp in Bainbridge MD. He was schooled in aviation. Preparatory School in Norman OK, then to Security Police training at Brunswick Maine Naval Air Station. Dick was a plank owner on the USS Forrestal (CVA 59) serving from 1955 – 1957 as an aviation Boatswain mate.
His travels included Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Haiti and ports in the Mediterranean.
Dick was a life member of the Elks Lodge 170 Butler for 56 years and the American Legion Post 117 for 28 years.
Dick worked at the family business, Portman Dairy, in his early years. He then went on to be a prideful career truck driver for 60 years. He was first employed by Mertz Barkley for 22 years. Then, he went on to purchase his own truck and hauled steel out of Armco. His last twenty years was driving for Hunter Truck Sales delivering trucks until 86 years old.
Dick was a lover of the “Conneaut Lake” and “Seven Springs” where he enjoyed boating, water skiing and snow skiing for over 20 years.
Dick had a zest, joy and love for life and his close friends. The family extends their gratitude to Gary Martin for his devoted friendship especially through these last 9 months.
Dick is survived and will be greatly missed by a sister Lorraine Portman McDevitt, a brother Albert Joseph (AJ) Portman, both of Butler, and a sister Norma Jean Portman Leyland who preceded him in death. Uncle Dick shared “special” relationships with his nieces and nephews; Jeff Leyland, Geary McDevitt, Kevin Leyland, Kim Leyland, Christine McDevitt Bridges, John Portman, Lori Portman Lewis, Dana Leyland, Todd Leyland, Shelly Portman (deceased), and Jon Michael Leyland along with 14 great nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham Street, Butler, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian Burial be celebrated on Monday, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 127 Franklin Street, Butler. Military Honors will be held after Mass at the Church by the American Legion/V.F.W. Honor Guard. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery.