Dennis William Porter

Dennis William Porter, age 71, of Buckhannon, WV, died Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. He was born September 14, 1950, in Pittsburgh, PA, a son of the late Wendell and Helen Gilleland Porter. On September 24, 1977, he married Nancy Baker Porter, of Buckhannon, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Kristen Porter of High Point, NC, Lara Trushel and husband Richard of Beaver, PA and Heather Porter and husband Seth Endicott of Salisbury, MD; two granddaughters, Avalyn and Amalia Trushel both of Beaver; one grandson, Andrew Porter Endicott of Salisbury; one brother, Jeffrey Porter and wife Wanda of Manor, TX; brother-in-law, Peter Baker of FL; aunts Betty J. Steiner of Clearwater, FL, Margaret Trautman and husband Bill of Courtland, OH, and Elsie Cunningham of Bakerstown, PA; and one niece, Wendy Porter.

Dennis was preceded in death by his uncles Ralph Steiner, Joseph Porter, Robert Porter, Roderick Porter, and William Gilleland; aunts Edythe Kennedy, Ora Perkins; his cousins Ronald and James Steiner; and his in-laws Nicholas and Ruth Baker. Dennis graduated from Mars Area Senior High School (PA) in 1968. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in physical education and athletic training from West Virginia University in 1978, a master’s degree in education from James Madison University (VA) in 1984, and a postgraduate physical therapist assistant degree from Kent State University (OH) in 2011.  Professionally, Dennis worked as an athletic trainer in athletic and clinical capacities at Fairmont State University, Harrisonburg Public Schools (VA), and Cincinnati Sports Medicine (OH).  His career spanned all competitive levels including the junior Under-19 national soccer team, United States Olympic Diving Team, and the Bluefield (WV) Orioles, a minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. He served as the first clinical director at Buckhannon MPTA/Healthworks from 1990 – 2016, when he retired.

Dennis also proudly served in the U. S. Army as a surveyor in the HHQ Battery 1/94 Field Artillery Unit in Firth, Germany from 1972-1974. 

As a teen, Dennis earned Eagle Scout honors and received the God & Country Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Buckhannon Rotary Club, National Athletic Trainers Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers Association, where he served a term as president. Dennis was also a member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Buckhannon.  Throughout the years, Dennis was an avid fan of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Pirates. Above all, Dennis enjoyed raising his three daughters alongside his wife and spending time with family and friends.

Friends will be received Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Monday, June 20, 2022 at 1 PM at McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home in Mars, PA, with visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM. Burial will follow in the West Union Cemetery in Gibsonia, PA. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair and McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Homes are in charge of the arrangements.