87, of Kailua, O'ahu, passed away after a 2-year battle with cancer on April 27th, 2019. Born and raised in Hilo, Donald was a graduate of Hilo High School and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Don was active in the ROTC in college and a Major in the US Army Reserves during the Korean War. Don was an entrepreneur who transformed a small Kailua business into an island-wide medical equipment company serving O'ahu, Hawai'i Island, and Maui. His love of community and desire to be of service to the less fortunate meant that he would often provide medical equipment to families unable to pay, at low or no cost. He often worked a 7-day week to ensure his clients had the equipment they needed. He sold the company to what is now Apria Healthcare. Don was an accomplished musician who sang falsetto, played the ukulele, and piano. Don expressed his Christian faith through song in the Windward Choral Society. The years he participated in making beautiful music with his fellow choral members were some of the best years of his retirement life. And Don was an exceptional Dad. He nurtured the Hawaiian heritage in each of his children through food, story and research, keeping the family connected to their ancestors. He was lovingly "kolohe", which expressed itself through "crazy ideas" that sometimes turned out to be visionary. He shared the gift of music with his family and friends, either through playing, singing and/or listening. Don was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Patti-Sue Hearne Porter, and his son, William Stephen Porter. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Kleissner, Julia Tadich, and Margaret Peebles; and by 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. His family is grateful for all the support they received from friends and community over the past challenging 24 months. A Celebration of Life Kanekapila will take place at the Kane'ohe Yacht Club on May 13th, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Interment will be at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo on May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Contributions in Don's honor can be made to The Windward Choral Society through their website, www.thewindwardchoralsociety.org.
87, of Kailua, O'ahu, passed away after a 2-year battle with cancer on April 27th, 2019. Born and raised in Hilo, Donald was a graduate of Hilo High School and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Don was active in the ROTC in college and a Major in the US Army Reserves during the Korean War. Don was an entrepreneur who transformed a small Kailua business into an island-wide medical equipment company serving O'ahu, Hawai'i Island, and Maui. His love of community and desire to be of service to the less fortunate meant that he would often provide medical equipment to families unable to pay, at low or no cost. He often worked a 7-day week to ensure his clients had the equipment they needed. He sold the company to what is now Apria Healthcare. Don was an accomplished musician who sang falsetto, played the ukulele, and piano. Don expressed his Christian faith through song in the Windward Choral Society. The years he participated in making beautiful music with his fellow choral members were some of the best years of his retirement life. And Don was an exceptional Dad. He nurtured the Hawaiian heritage in each of his children through food, story and research, keeping the family connected to their ancestors. He was lovingly "kolohe", which expressed itself through "crazy ideas" that sometimes turned out to be visionary. He shared the gift of music with his family and friends, either through playing, singing and/or listening. Don was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Patti-Sue Hearne Porter, and his son, William Stephen Porter. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Kleissner, Julia Tadich, and Margaret Peebles; and by 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. His family is grateful for all the support they received from friends and community over the past challenging 24 months. A Celebration of Life Kanekapila will take place at the Kane'ohe Yacht Club on May 13th, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Interment will be at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 in Hilo on May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Contributions in Don's honor can be made to The Windward Choral Society through their website, www.thewindwardchoralsociety.org.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
