David Porter's beloved wife is sharing her grief over her husband's tragic death with a community that knew and loved him.
Porter, 56, is being remembered by family and friends since he died in a motorcycle crash last Wednesday (Aug. 2)
Police allege the driver of another vehicle turned in front of Porter’s motorcycle at Innisfil and John Streets, then collided with the bike. Porter was declared dead at the scene and charges are pending against the driver of the other vehicle.
A husband to Cheryl and father to Teresa and Derk (formerly Alyssa), the popular Porter will be missed by his brothers Steven (Joyce), Robert (Jennifer), Michael (Kate) and his mother Andrea. Porter’s dad, Terry, died in 2006.
Porter’s wife, Cheryl, said her husband was a natural conversationalist, a quality she admired.
“David was always ready to talk with people. He was so friendly and talkative. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, I was kind of jealous of that as I am much more shy and reserved, it just seemed so easy for him,” said Cheryl. “He would say what he was thinking and was an honest, genuine person, but also a big kidder who loved to joke around and say things that were politically incorrect, but only to get a reaction from either myself or the children.”
She found out about her husband's death at the scene of the crash.
With a busy night planned on Aug. 2, Porter had told his wife what time he would be home. When he was late, Cheryl sent a text and call, to no response.
“Once it got to after 7:30 p.m., I panicked and decided that I was going to drive to his office and hopefully see that he was still there. We were all so concerned as it was so out of character for him not to call for such a long time," she recalled.
"I watched for him on my drive over as I hoped that he was on his way home, but arrived on Innisfil Street to see a police barricade and after parking and walking up to the police tape I could see that there was someone on the road. I tried to believe that it wasn’t him,” said Cheryl.
Police informed Cheryl of the tragic news and drove her home. The children, also concerned, had heard of a fatal motorcycle accident on Innisfil Street and seeing the police escort, knew it was their father.
“Teresa, Derk and I are still struggling with this senseless tragedy. Our family and friends have been there for us to provide a shoulder to cry on and we are leaning on each other,” said Cheryl. “We are strong and will continue living, but grief will now be part of our lives.”
Described by Cheryl as a “warm and loving father,” Porter enjoyed playing host dad through the Canada Homestay Network, a family-run, non-profit organization that has helped tens of thousands of students find a home away from home in Canada.
“(We hosted) Anna from Vietnam in July 2017, then Erin from China from September 2017 to April 2021, next Sophia from Germany from September 2021 to February 2022 and finally Noa from Spain from September 2022 to June 2023,” said Cheryl.
Cheryl and Porter met on August 16, 1986 at Consumers Distributing in Barrie on Bayfield Street.
“David was 19 and I was just 16 and I am quite certain that if anyone had told us we would be meeting our future spouse at that age we would never have believed it,” said Cheryl. “We were both fairly new employees and it was the store's inventory that day. I remember standing in a circle across from him and thinking that I would like to go out with that guy and the manager happened to pair us up for counting inventory.”
After some time apart due to university commitments, the couple met up again in 1992 and were married on August 17, 1996, exactly 10 years after their first kiss.
“I have had the privilege of spending the last 31 years of my life with this special man that I loved so deeply. He made sure to tell me he loved me frequently and that I was beautiful. I couldn’t imagine a more loving husband.”
Steve also remembers his brother's commitment and loyalty to his wife, Cheryl.
“They say that every person has another one person out there who is perfect for them. That's David and Cheryl,” said Steve. “They were head over heels in love and he was immensely loyal to her and his family. He was a very loyal person to begin with, but just completely in love with Cheryl.”
Porter followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a Rotarian, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Barrie from 1999 to 2022.
Porter owned MAC Solutions, a warranty service provider that also provided and installed parts, and Steve called his brother “super intelligent” their whole life.
“He was a self-proclaimed nerd, loving computers and just wearing that nerd persona like a badge of honour,” said Steve. “He could fix anything, really, he was just so smart.”
Both Cheryl and Steve spoke about Porter’s love of all things “geek culture,” as Steve called it.
After his family, comic books, Power Rangers and Japanese art were secondary passions of Porter’s.
Cheryl said her husband loved to talk about his interests and had a YouTube Channel that he used to share his passions with others.
“He seemed to be able to work his interests into so many conversations. I was in the hospital in April and he had a long conversation with the doctor about computers, 3-D printing and his YouTube channel,” recalled Cheryl. “He was also learning Japanese on Duo-lingo and had a 1,759 day streak going.”
Arif Khan was one of the many who posted on social media shortly after Porter’s death. Many kept the name out of the public eye until Cheryl made it known.
In a post from Khan’s Facebook late last week, he wrote about Porter's integrity and solid reputation.
“He was a loving husband and father. No question. He served our community for decades; expecting nothing in return,” said Khan’s post. “As a small business operator, he served his clients with the highest standard of care, excellence, and fairness.”
Khan continued by saying “most of all, he was my friend, and I will miss him. I will remember him, the way he deserves to be remembered.”
Visitation for Porter will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home at 30 Worsley St. in Barrie on Thursday, Aug. 10, from 7-9 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 11 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., A service will follow in the Chapel on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m.
Friends are invited to remain for a reception luncheon in the lounge and if desired, donations in David Porter’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and are greatly appreciated by the family.
