Harold A. Porter

Harold A. Porter of Weymouth MA passed away, age 90, June 11, 2022. Harold was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 62 years Esther Anne (née Peaslee). Loving father of Aimee Dunne (Jim), Lynn Porter, Karen Thorne (Bill), Laurie Porter, David Porter (Maryan). Lovingly survived by Philip Drouin (Pamela). Cherished Grampy of Katrina Thorne Gates (Mike), Daniel Thorne, Philip Drouin Jr (Laurel), Elizabeth Drouin (L. Santiago Simas). Loving brother of Joan Gochenaur (Bud). Also survived by his niece Sandra Michaels (Gary) and his nephew Brian Gochenaur (Kelly), and many cousins.

Harold was a 1950 graduate of both Weymouth High School and Norfolk County Agricultural School. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He graduated from the U.S. Navy Electrical & Electronics Schools. He served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Intrepid CVA-11 and USS Valley Forge CVS-45 as an Electricians Mate. Harold served 6 years in the U.S. Navy. He also graduated from Franklin Technical Institute, The Electronics Apprentice School at Bethlehem Steel Co., and attended concentrated courses at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University.

In addition to working with Raytheon and Boston Gear Works, Harold was 10 years with Bethlehem Steel Company installing sonar equipment and performing sea trials on many U.S. Navy ships including the world’s first nuclear powered guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach CGN-9, and USS Bainbridge DLGN-25, the first nuclear powered guided missile frigate. He followed with a 30 year career with U.S. defense contractor Hazeltine Corporation retiring as Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Assurance Management.

For multiple decades Harold was a present or previous member of: The Weymouth United Methodist Church; Weymouth United Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M.; Konohasset Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M.; The York Rites in Weymouth: Pentalpha Royal Arch Chapter, Temple Council Royal & Select Masters and South Shore Commandery Knights Templar; Director and Chairman South Shore Masonic Association; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Valley of Boston; Aleppo Shrine; South Shore Shrine Club; Weymouth Assembly #19, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, as Dad, Chairman, Treasurer; The Advisory Council South Shore Chapter Order of DeMolay; Assistant Treasurer Weymouth Heights Club; Treasurer and Advancement Chair of Troop 2 Weymouth, Boy Scouts of America (BSA); Advancement Co-Chair of Great Ponds District and Eagle Coordinator in Squanto District both in Old Colony Council BSA; District Member-At-Large in Mayflower Council BSA.

As a youth he was a Boy Scout in Troop 2 Weymouth. During the 1950’s and 60’s he built stock cars with Goodrow Racing in the New England Stock Car Circuit. Harold enjoyed traveling, often including family or friends in the route or destination. In doing family genealogy with his wife Anne, they did discover a Cornwall mariner who has yet to be proven the long rumored alleged pirate of family lore.

Harold was the recipient of numerous medals, awards and honors over the course of his life. He was the fourth of five generations to live on the same street for 163 consecutive years and is bid fair winds and following seas.

Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm with a Masonic Service at 6:30 pm during visiting hours at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, NORTH WEYMOUTH, 40 Sea Street, (Off Bridge St – Bicknell Sq). A funeral will be celebrated in the funeral home on Saturday at 9 am. Burial with military honors in Old North Cemetery, North Weymouth. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Harold’s memory to Shriners Hospitals For Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston MA 02114 or at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/