The death has occurred of David Porter, former boss of steel fabrications firm D& M Porter Ltd and a leading member of the Calthwaite community, at the age of 80.
Born in West Cumbria, he was one of three children of Thomas and Benita Porter.
He had an older brother, Malcolm, and younger sister, Elizabeth.
He began his education at Dean Primary School, before attending Workington Grammar School and then, after his mother became headteacher at Melmerby Primary School, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith.
He went on to study at what was then Newton Rigg Farm School, Penrith.
His first job was at Gale Hall, Melmerby, where he worked until he married fellow Lazonby YFC member Miss Mary Ridley.
They started their married life at Scales Fold and then moved to Calder Bridge, in West Cumbria, later returning to the Eden area to farm at Fog Close, Kirkoswald.
By this point they had two children, Brian and Carol.
From Fog Close they moved to Field Head, Calthwaite, which was to become the family home. It was after this move that their third child, Allan, was born.
David worked for steel fabrications firm Gush and Dent. A highly sociable man, he started a social club while he was with the company, organising trips to play football at other branches, and also car treasure hunts.
It was in the early 1970s that he and his wife started their own steel fabrications firm, D & M Porter Ltd.
David at first worked on his own but then took on staff – one being Willie Borradaile, who was a loyal employee and friend.
The business continued to grow and contracts came from across the world.
David spent a few summers at Brunton Park, the home of his football team Carlisle United, preparing the ground for the season ahead and fitting barriers.
In the 1980s he had the mammoth task of making Wimbledon Football Club’s ground fit for the old First Division. Other clubs he worked for included Heart of Midlothian, Reading and Saint Johnstone.
The firm attended major agricultural shows like the Great Yorkshire, Royal Highland and Smithfield, as well as Skelton, the Cumberland and Penrith. He was due to be president of last year’s Skelton show.
He and Mary retired from the business in 2006 and left it in the hands of their youngest son Allan and wife Jenny, who continue to run it today.
Retirement took them to Calthwaite village, where they were a big part of the community.
David was a school governor, chaired Hesket Parish Council, delivered milk in Calthwaite, supported the church, delivered the parish newsletter, was a regular at the Globe Inn and was at the helm of two very successful fundraising events on the football field.
He did a lot of fundraising for charities, his favourite way of doing so being to host race nights. He could also often be seen in Penrith with charity collection buckets.
He helped Carlisle United arrange sporting dinners and was at one time part of the club’s promotions committee. He was a member of the Carlisle United executive club and organised transport for its members to away games.
To keep costs down he passed his PSV test so he could drive the bus himself on such trips, and this led him to drive for Titterington Coaches. He did school bus runs and was often the second driver on excursions abroad.
He also went to the Le Mans 24-hour car race with a group of pals from Preston, and this became an annual event.
A Freemason for many years – which also involved raising money for good causes – David was a founder member of the Monument and Helvellyn lodges. He became Worshipful Master for the Monument Lodge in 1989.
Although he was a keen Carlisle United fan, Manchester United was his first love.
He once took his wife to Old Trafford to see Dennis Law, but she was more impressed by the little number seven on the wing – this was George Best before he became famous.
In 2013 David he lost his beloved Mary, but with the support of his family and close friends he continued to enjoy life.
One group he really appreciated were the Old Codgers, based in Penrith, and he really looked forward to his Wednesday morning with them.
They also organised fundraising events, with David generally in charge of activities and recreation, and organising day trips.
David is survived by his children Brian, Carol and Allan, Sister Elizabeth and Grandchildren, Adam, Molly, Niall, Vicky, Christy and Suzanah.
His family thanked those who helped then care for him in his own home – palliative care and district nurses, GP, occupational therapy staff, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and also many friends.
