LETTER: Remembering Phil Porter

To the Editor:

I was saddened to hear recently that former Wakefield resident Phil Porter passed away. For many years Phil was a welcome fixture at Town Meeting.  On issue after issue, he was well-informed and represented a much-needed point of view.  In many ways he set the standard for accountability, asking the right questions that every citizen should ask when local tax and budget matters are at hand. Before he moved to Leominster several years ago, Phil compiled a record of service to the Town of Wakefield including work on the charter commission in 1998.  His convictions were sincere and revealed great purpose.

Phil was a very personable fellow. Not long after I moved to Wakefield, Phil offered me his most precious asset: time.  In great detail at one sitting he offered a short history of Wakefield and the emerging issues that most of us still discuss today.  I always looked forward to hearing his opinion on a number of statewide issues and for that I am especially grateful. 

A veteran of the Korean War, Phil embodied all the virtues of the ideal citizen. His example of the life he led leaves us much wiser. He clearly loved his country and he loved Wakefield.  He will be missed.

Sincerely

Frank Conte
Wakefield