Leonard L. Porter

MADISON - Leonard L. Porter passed away peacefully on February 20, 2014 at the age of 85.
Len was born in Fond du Lac, WI, and grew up in the Chicago area where he attended Morgan Park Military Academy through high school. At Morgan Park he participated in tennis, track, wrestling and boxing. He graduated from the UW (majoring in Economics) where he met his beloved wife of 60 years, the late Grace Porter.
Len proudly worked his entire career for American Family Insurance expanding his lines of insurance throughout the Midwest. He was involved in the city council (12th ward alder) and the republican party in the 60s; his notable projects included running the republican headquarters office on State Street for the 1964 presidential race and having Presidential candidate George Romney visit and speak from his north side home in the fall of 1967.
While he worshipped his wife, he lived for his 3 sons. He spent endless hours teaching his boys how to water ski, snow ski, and play a variety of sports. Daily trips to the downtown YMCA for lessons and workouts filled our early lives. Later he transferred his avid interest in tennis to his sons. His "hard work-hard play" life style set a lifelong example for his kids.
Len is survived by his three sons, Steve Porter of Madison, Bob (Nancy) Porter of Madison and Tim Porter of Phoenix AZ; six grandchildren, Lindsay, Brady, Ashley, Alicia, Christine and Justin; and one cousin, Gail Bartkowski of Big Flats NY. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, and his parents, Ralph and Virginia.
A brief service will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 5001 Sherman Avenue on Wednesday at 4 pm, preceded by a 3 PM visitation. A private family burial will be held in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Len's name to Agrace Hospice. The family would like to thank the staff of Sylvan Crossings and Agrace Hospice for their assistance.