Victor J. Porto

Victor J. Porto, 80, of Sun City West, AZ formerly of Delhi and Cooperstown, NY, died September 2, 2024. He was born on July 24, 1944 in Brooklyn NY to Eve and Victor Porto.
Vic began his adventures in higher learning following graduation in 1962 from West Islip High School. First stop was Hofstra quickly followed by SUNY at Oneonta to finally graduating from SUNY Cortland in 1967 with a BA in Secondary Education-Social Studies.
He ended his academic career at the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1969 with a MA in American History.
Vic began his work life as a 9th grade Social Studies teacher in Windsor, CT. Leaving in 1972 to become the creator and owner of the Friar Tuck Bookshops of New York, that grew to six locations before closing in 1986.
Always a people person, Vic moved into the public relations sports world at the original National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY from 1986 to 1994. Advertising sales came next with the Oneonta Daily Star Newspaper, to the Delaware County Times Newspaper, finally to the Wickenburg Sun Newspaper where he finally retired in 2016.
Retirement didn’t suit Vic, so he went to work for the RH Johnson Recreation Center in Sun City West as a monitor until Covid 19 shut down the centers.
It wasn’t all work for Vic. He loved his family beyond measure with great hugs and his fatherly advice. He served as a Chapter Chair for the American Red Cross in Oneonta, NY. Coached boys youth soccer team in Cooperstown, NY until they all entered high school. And cheered on his NY Mets, always dreaming of the next World Series championship!
Vic is survived by his wife, Karen in Sun City West, AZ. His son, Ian (Jen) Porto of Cooperstown NY. His daughters, Francesca Fay of Surprise, AZ and Sicily Porto and her fiancée Wilson Scudder of Tempe, AZ. Grandchildren, Max Porto and Natty Porto of Cooperstown. His sisters Kathy (Bill) O’Connell of Stonybrook NY and Jane Fratelli of North Margate FL. And brother Steve (Pat) of Saratoga Springs, NY. And all the faithful NY Mets fans still waiting.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:00AM at Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel 13738 W. Camino del Sol Sun City West, Arizona 85375. Please join the family in sharing pictures, memories or videos on the tribute wall for Victor at www.caminodelsol.com.