Obituary of Jon P. Portman

WESTFIELD - Jon Portman, 71, of Westfield, passed away Tuesday night, August 7, 2012, surrounded by family and friends, singing, laughing, crying and rejoicing in the long benevolent life he lived. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, but raised on the family grape farm in Portland, Jon spent his early years connected to the land. Eventually Jon realized that he wanted to travel the world. He worked in the airline industry for many years, meeting people, and experiencing all that this world has to offer. Throughout his many years, many homes, and many relationships, Jon brought four amazing children into this world; Bobby, Billy, Kathy, and Ashley. In 1997 Jon married his soul-mate, Raisa. Together, they moved to Westfield, where Jon lived the remainder of his joyful, carefree life. During his time on Earth, Jon was revered for being a simple, happy man. Always there for his family and friends, ready to celebrate life, and ready to laugh about even the simplest of things. Jon loved sports, was a great skier, a football referee, a soccer coach, and a fan of any winning team. A thoughtful, inquisitive and insightful man, Jon touched the hearts of everyone he met and was the catalyst for bringing many people together. He was truly a gift from god and is now an angel in heaven, looking over all of us. A great father, a loving spouse, and an incredible friend, Jon would do anything for anyone, opened his doors and his arms to everyone, and will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all he touched. He is our Buddy. Survivors include his wife: Raisa (Hernandez) Portman, his two daughters: Kathy Froden of Marietta, GA, and Ashley Portman and her fiancé Daniel Stein of Montpelier, VT, his son, Robert Portman and his wife Anna of Savannah, GA, his two sisters: Judith Portman of Erie, PA, and Joan "Ginger" Grant of Ocala, FL and his brother: Joseph "Jay" Portman of Dunkirk, NY. Jon was the proud grandfather of Matthew and Michael Portman of Savannah, GA; and Isaiah John Bird of Montpelier, VT. He is further survived by Isaiah’s father, Nathaniel Bird. He was preceded in death by his son, William J. Portman and by his mother and father, Joseph and Jean (Burdis) Portman. Jon’s family will be present to receive friends and family on Friday, August 10, 2012, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY. A time of reunion, reflection and remembrances by family and friends will commence at 6:30 PM. Memorials may be made to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, 189 East Main Street, Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Portman family a message of sympathy