Earl Thomas Carson Porter of Riceville, NB passed away December 9th, 2023, at the Upper River Valley Hospital. Born on the farm in Benton Ridge, NB on October 12th, 1936.

Tom is predeceased by his parents Earl Porter and Christina (Carson) Porter, brothers Robert Porter, and Marrel Porter, sister Hellen Sparrow / Shaw, wife Thora (Jensen) Porter, sons Private Perry Porter, killed on UN Peace Keeping, Golan Heights, Dean Porter of Ritchie Road, NB, and grandson Lee Porter of Fort McMurray, AB.

He is survived by his sons Danny Porter, wife Susan Garcia of Kissimmee Florida, and Malcolm Porter, wife Janet Porter of Oak Mountain, NB, daughter Heather (Clark), husband Billy Clark of Newbridge, NB, Daughter in Law Shelley (Ritchie) Porter, partner Dale Johnson of Ritchie Road, NB, granddaughters: Jennifer (Porter) Young, husband Jamie Young, of Nackawic, NB, Jody (Clark) Yorke of Fredericton, NB, Caitlin Porter, husband Jeff Barrell of Ammon, NB, Erin Porter, partner Chris Janes of Fort McMurray AB, grandsons Nicholas Clark, wife Roxanne (Carrier) Clark of Fredericton, NB, and Evan Porter of Kelowna, BC, great grandchildren from Nicholas: Brett Carrier, from Jennifer: Maddison Sharp, Mallory Sharp and Mya Young, from Jody: Emma Yorke and Patrick Yorke, from Erin: Porter Janes,

and many nieces and nephews.

Tom worked many jobs to support his family. He was a section worker for CN rail in the 50's, a woods worker, Bread truck driver for Karnes bakery in the 60's, finish carpenter and construction worker on jobs throughout the maritimes. He ran a mixed farm, a sawmill, of which he built two, and a Christmas tree farm. Innovative and forward thinking, he harvested young fir saplings, to fill Christmas tree transplant beds, prior to setting them out in his fields. During the 70's DNR routinely stopped by the farm to observe what he was up to. He remained active in tree farming and continued selling Christmas trees out of his yard well into his 80's.

Tom was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisher. He loved nothing better than taking the family up Eel River fishing on his home-built pontoon boat (The Huckleberry). An accomplished guitar player, he and Thora spent many hours entertaining others playing old time music in groups like the Valley Ramblers. His artistic talents also extended to constructing interesting lawn pieces like "Junkey" their mailbox man, "Buggsie" Thora's bug shaped flower planter, "The Great Pumpkin" a 9' tall pumpkin, which covered the entrance to their root cellar. Tom also painted and enjoyed fine woodworking. His craftsmanship can be seen at St Mary's Anglican Church in Benton, which he and his brother Marrel lovingly restored after it was almost lost to fire.

A full and productive life, Tom will be missed by his family.

Funeral Service will be held at St Mary's Anglican Church in Benton on Monday, December 18th @ 2pm. Internment following immediately after the service at St Mary's cemetery.

Donations in Tom's memory can be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Fund would be appreciated by the family.