Obituaries

Donald G. Porell, 67

April 19, 2015

Donald G. Porell, 67, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends after a 6 month battle with Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma.
He was the husband of Peg Martel Porell, with whom he shared almost 46 years of marriage this coming May 3rd. Born in Sanford , ME, he was the son of the late Adrian A. and Marguerite Lallemand Porell.
Don had worked as a shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and previously at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine from 1969 until his retirement in 2007. After retirement, he worked at the Manheim Auto Auction and ABC Lancaster.
He was a US Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War as a Radioman Third Class.
He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
Don was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus Santa Maria Assembly, a member of the Lancaster County Fossil and Mineral Club, and was the Penn State representative for the Conewago Creek Gold Prospectors and Treasure Hunters of America. He was a proficient handy man known as “Toolman McGyver”, was known for his coffee runs and picking on his granddaughters. He loved to travel, enjoyed camping, gold prospecting, Sunday drives and trips with his family. He enjoyed breakfasts at the Waffle House with his granddaughter Katie and driving cross country with his granddaughter Ashleigh. He loved to help people but was known to be a sneaky card player. There are too many great memories to recount- he was loved.
In addition to his wife, Peg, he is survived by his children: Michelle M. married to Lloyd W. Alexander of Steep Falls, ME, Kathryn L. married to Christopher Fournier of Lititz, and Steven T. married to Lacy Jo Porell of Dover, DE; his grandchildren Ashleigh R. married to Kenton Mast and Katelin M. Fournier; his sister Ann Marie White of Roseville, CA and his favorite mother-in-law, Patricia Martel Floyd of Sanford, ME. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in law, his beloved nieces and nephews and his many friends.
Friends will be received on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA from 10-11AM, with the Mass to follow at 11AM. Interment in Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Don’s memory to World Missionary Advance, Box 764408, Dallas TX 75376 Attn: Esther’s House, or to St. Thomas School, 69 North Ave., Sanford, ME 04073.

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Condolences to the Family

May 15, 2015

Peggy, 
I was so saddened to hear of Donny s passing.  I have thought of you and your family often over the past years.  I will never forget how kind and caring you and Donny were to me.  You are in my prayers. 
Love
Carole Adams
 

April 22, 2015

My dear friend,
My heart breaks for you.  Don will be greatly missed by many including Jim and I.  It was wonderful to celebrate the New Year with you guys and to have opportunities to spend time together. We don’t know another couple quite as crazy, kind, and fun-loving as you two. Cancer just messes up all thoses plans we make. We just have to trust that He knows what He is doing. We are here for you.
Love,
Tricia & Jim

April 22, 2015

Please accept our condolences on Don’s passing.  It was a pleasure to have known such a great person and we will truly miss him. Our thoughts are with you Peg, Kathy, & Ashleigh.  From:  Scott & the rest of the staff at Susquehanna Valley Fleet & Auto.

April 21, 2015

We were lucky enough to know Don through Peg … he had a heart with those flecks of gold … smart & witty!  Great strength and spirit these past few months, with lots of support and love from his family.  All kind thoughts.  ~ Holly & John

April 21, 2015

Peg, I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of the love of your life. My heart and love are with you and please catch all my hugs that I am giving you. You both did so very much to battle this horrid desease and I am just so happy he was with you when God embraced him. I know it is so hard to lose a loved one and I always look at it this way, he needs more angels and your hubby was just what he needed. I shall pray tonight for you and your family as he is at peace, now you all need to be able to cope with it. I shall also ask God to grab hold of my beautiful daugher Tina so she can show him around as she was just like me, chatty and always ready with a helping hand. God Bless you, Peg!   Love and prayers from only a small section of your Lillan Vernon family, Cathy Peele   

April 21, 2015

Dear Peg : He was your golden nugget!  Sweet kind n generous soul. You were very fortunate to have found such a sweet man. He will be missed as you already know. May his arms wrapped you in  love and comfort when needed. Ken n I are sending our deepest of sympathy to your family. ♡♡

April 21, 2015

I will always remember his kind heart, and the love I saw between him and Peg. may he rest in peace with our Lord.

April 21, 2015

Pegy I’m so sorry that my friend Donny has left us, he was such a great friend. I remember all the great times that we had near the river. I now recollect when summers were very hot his mother had this canvas tub and would fill it with water and we would cool off.  I also remember going on Manerva Street and around the sand pit collecting emty bottles and turning them in for cash. His dad would also bring me to Wells to his aunt cottage and we would dig for clams and cook them. Some times we would go onto his boat that was in the marsh land waters. My prayers are with you and your family.

April 21, 2015

We are so sorry that we will not be able to make the visitation. But we are very happy that we were able to come up and visit with Don and Peg just 10 days ago. Don will be greatly missed. Got to hear I LOVE YOU TERRI and Wellllllllllll ……. Sooooo one more time!
 
Love You Don, 
John  and Terri

April 21, 2015

To my dear Porell family, the loss of Don is great…he will be missed by so many.  Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish I could be at his service but will visit him when he comes back to Maine to rest next to my Dad.  Love to you all, Simonne Maline

April 21, 2015

Rest in peace dear man. You will always be in our memories and in our hearts.  Don, wow, what can I say, you were the best neighbor anyone could possible want.  All our love, Peg and family….Pat and Judy

April 21, 2015

I had the honor to care for Donald. I found myself waiting for the next visit just to be with him. He was full of life and was always so happy when I came. Watching his wife Peggy care for him was an inspiration. I will miss him deeply. It was an honor to care for Donald while he was on his journey to eternal life.
Susan Chasser, RN

April 21, 2015

Our prayers have been with Don and his family since the day of diagnosis.  Fortunately, we were able to spend some time with him in December.  Our memories are rich-  caring and humorous as well. We are thankful for his drive to Florida and brief visit in our new home. Mostly, we will remember our Lancaster get togethers .  Don was so very proud of his wife- his “favorite mother in law”, his children and grandchildren (and pets!). As described in the well written obit- “HE WAS LOVED!”-and returned tha love freely.  He will be greatly missed in many ways by his family and friends but will remain alive in our memories.  Don is now pain free again and safe in God’s care- continues to be LOVED forever.!

Visitation
Thursday, April 23, 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
601 E. Delp Rd.
Lancaster, PA
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Services
Thursday, April 23, 2015
11:00 AM
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
601 E. Delp Rd.
Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
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