Lawrence "Smiley" Porter

Lawrence Porter, a resident of Burlington, Massachusetts, died Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. He was 95. Larry was born April 27, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of William Wendall and Mary E. (Brown) Porter. He was a graduate of Brighton High School, Class of 1947. He proudly served in the US Marine Corps, where he served until his honorable discharge in 1954. Smiley, as he was known to his friends, spent the majority of his career working as a machinist for the Reece Sewing Machine Company in Waltham, and finished working as a custodian at the Wakefield Town Hall and the Wakefield Police Department until his retirement in 1992.

Larry was a member of the American Legion Post 0273 in Burlington, and the VFW Post 8546 in Salem, New Hampshire, where he liked to socialize and partake in their meat raffles. He frequently started his day reading the newspaper at the Burlington Public Library. Smiley enjoyed walking around Burlington Common, reading, visiting Mohegan Sun, and was an avid Red Sox fan. He was admired for his friendliness, kindness, and eternal optimism.

He was the brother of the late William W. Porter, Jr., and is survived by his two nieces, Joyce McFarland, and her husband, Gary, of South Yarmouth, and their children; and Virginia Barry, and her husband, Jim, of Walpole, and their children; and several great grand nephews. Smiley had a close relationship with the extended family of his longtime companion, the late Edna Turner, of Burlington. He will be profoundly missed by his entire family and extended family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Larry's graveside service Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11 am at the Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, 670 Baker Street, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers donations to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (online at T2T.org) or to The New England Center and Home for Veterans, PO Box 961500, Boston, MA 02109 (online at nechv.org) would be appreciated.