Obituary of Jon H. Porter
Jon Hull Porter died on December 12, 2024, at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, following a long and debilitating illness. Jon was born in Rochester on June 4, 1940, the son of J. Erwin Porter and his wife, Susan Mercher Porter. Jon grew up at Strawberry Castle in Penfield, NY, the home he shared with his parents and his two older brothers, Leslie “Lee” and Richard “Dick”. Joh was, from an early age, an inveterate golfer, spending much of his early years at Oak Hill Country Clun where his father would drop him off on his way to work; Jon honed his skills at an early age.
Jon attended Allendale School in Rochester before entering Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, MA. Jon’s affinity to Andover was deep and he was a proud alumnus, returning for several class reunions, most notably his 50th in 2009. Jon went on to Cornell University as an undergraduate, staying on through Law School, receiving his law degree in 1966, retiring in 2022, after almost 60 years practicing law. John began his law career in Rochester before moving to Geneseo, NY, to establish his own private practice. In addition to his practice, Jon also clerked for New York State Supreme Court Justice Austin Erwin and worked as a Legislative Assistant to Assemblyman Jim Emery, Deputy Majority Leader for the NY State Assembly. He also represented several villages and towns within Livingston County. During those years in Geneseo, Jon’s law partners included Mark F. Welch, Roger Streb, Judge Ron Cicoria, Judge Randy Meyer and Federal Appellate Court Judge Richard Wesley (while in law school, Wesley also clerked for Jon). He was a member of the Livingston County Bar Association.
On June 25, 1966, Jon married Elizabeth “Liz” Schuyler Jenkins at St. Paul’s Church in Rochester. Upon their eventual move to Geneseo, Liz became a very involved local citizen, passionate about historic preservation and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Jon also played prominent roles in civic organizations, notably Kiwanis where in 2013, he was awarded the George F. Hixson Award, the highest accolade presented by any Kiwanis Club to an individual member, one not presented on an annual basis. Like Liz, Jon was also very involved at St. Michael’s Church, where he served as a Vestryman and on several committees. Jon also served on the Board of Directors for the Temple Hill Cemetery, as well as the Board of Directors of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation and the Erie Canal Association.
Three children were born to Liz and Jon, all of whom survive; James Grayson Porter (Shelly) of Poncé sur le Loir, France, Joshua Rockwood Porter of Twisp, WA and Caroline Schuyler Hottle (Matthew) of Vestavia Hills, AL. In addition to his wife and children, Jon is survived by two grandchildren, Charlotte Elizabeth Hottle and Porter Matthew Hottle of Vestavia Hills, AL. Other survivors include his brother, Dick of Kailua, HI, his sister-in-law, Linda Morgan Porter of Lancaster, PA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Jon was predeceased by his oldest brother, Lee and by his sister-in-law, Wanda Porter.
A Celebration of Jon’s Life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Geneseo on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1 PM with the Rt. Reverend Dr. F. Michael Laver presiding. A reception at the Church will immediately follow the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Michale’s Episcopal Church, 23 Main St, Geneseo, NY 14454 or the Geneseo Kiwanis Club, PO Box 71, Geneseo, NY 14454 in Jon’s memory.
Jon Porter was known as a “sweet and loving man.” He was that and more: a true and stalwart friend, a devoted, loving husband and father, a, honest and dedicated citizen and churchman. He was also a fan of the Buffalo Bills!