Ronald "Ron" G. Porto

Ronald Guy Porto, age 71 of Neenah, passed away on Saturday August 27, 2022, surrounded by family. Ron was the only son of Gaetono and Annette (Krause) Porto, who also had a daughter Patricia.  Ron was born in Neenah and grew up in Menasha where he graduated from Menasha High School. Following high school, Ron attended Milwaukee Area Technical College.

 

Ron was a loving father to three children: Bryan, Kevin, and Teresa. He worked as a press operator at James River Corp which turned into Graphic Packaging by the time he retired after 44 years of dedicated service.  He was an avid music lover who enjoyed watching live bands whenever possible. 

 

Ron spent as much time as he could with his children and extended family. To many, he was even considered a second father. His life revolved around his children and grandchildren, and he made time for every event and activity that he could. All three children considered him to be a best friend. As a family, they enjoyed all types of activities from jet skiing and snowmobiling, to watching Packer and Brewer games together. The cottage on Wheeler Lake in Lakewood (built by his father Gaetono) was the gathering place.  Campfires, watersports, boating, swimming, and cruising on the pontoon boat were highlights.  When “Captain Ron” was aboard, there was little patience for bathroom breaks, or for “stealing” the boat. More often than not, Ron was found to be observing all the things happening on the boat, rather than the things directly in front- riding over the rocks, running into “the island” and even near misses with swimming rafts were a fact of boating life with Ron!

 

Ron is survived by his children Bryan (Michelle), Kevin (Jina) and Teresa (Tim Hendrickson); grandchildren: Benjamin, Lillian, Isaac, and Ethan and Andrew. He is further survived by his sister Patricia (Richard) Bork, many nieces and nephews, and former wife Mary.

 

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Joseph “Jake” and Ernestine Jakubek, sister-in-law Debbie Jakubek, nephew Peter Bork, and other good friends.

 

A funeral service for Ron will be held Friday September 2, 2022, at 11:00am at Wichmann Funeral Home-Tri County Chapel, 1592 Oneida Street, Fox Crossing. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 9:00am until the start of the service. There will be a celebration of life gathering and luncheon following the service at the Stone Toad, 1109 Oneida St, Menasha. 

 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.