Reverend John E. Porter passed away on May 22, 2023, in Englewood, Ohio. He was born on April 4, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio, and baptized at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Dayton. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 26, 1956 at St. Monica Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.
Father Porter received his first assignment on June 15, 1956, as Assistant at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Price Hill (Cincinnati), followed by an Assistant appointment on August 29, 1963, at St. Raphael Parish and to teach part time at Catholic Central High School, Springfield. On June 18, 1965, he was appointed Assistant at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, Assistant Director of the Catholic Youth Organization (C.Y.O.) for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Director of the Main Street Bible Center. On February 12, 1966, he was appointed Director of the C.Y.O. while continuing as Director of the Main Street Bible Center, and was asked to serve as the Archdiocesan Chaplain for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. Father Porter remained Director of the C.Y.O. until September 15, 1977. During his time as the C.Y.O. Director, he was appointed Assistant at St. Patrick Parish, Downtown Cincinnati, effective January 18, 1971, appointed Pastor of St. Stephen Parish, Cincinnati, effective June 20, 1973, appointed Chaplain of the Fontbonne, effective on June 27, 1974, and served as the director of Fort Scott Camp for many years. On January 15, 1978, he was appointed Pro-tem Director of the Mission Office (until October 16, 1978). On September 1, 1978, Father Porter was appointed Pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Cincinnati. He was appointed Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Liberty Township, on July 13, 1989, for a period of six years, and re-appointed as Pastor for another six-year term, commencing on July 14, 1995. Father Porter retired from active ministry on July 1, 2003. After retirement, he held temporary Parochial Administrator appointments at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (August – December 2003); St. John Neumann Parish, Cincinnati, (December 2003 to June 2004); and St. Denis Parish, Versailles, and Holy Family Parish, Frenchtown (March – October 2005).
Reception of the Body: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, Liberty Township, Ohio 45011; 513-777-4322. Celebrant: Reverend James J. Riehle. Visitation: until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1.
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr. Homilist: Reverend William J. Dorrmann. A luncheon immediately following, in the gym.
Burial: Friday, June 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Celebrant: Reverend David P. Vincent.
