Mark Vincent Porteus

Mark Vincent Porteus, of Niantic, Connecticut and formerly of The Bronx, New York, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on March 1, 2025. Mark was born on January 15, 1953 in The Bronx, beloved son of Joseph Porteus and Margaret Thomas Porteus. In addition to his parents, Mark was predeceased by his brother Daniel Porteus, and sister Jan Romano.

Mark was the most generous, faithful and loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to so many. He had an awesome sense of humor and always wore an impish grin. A true renaissance man, Mark loved fishing, music, guitar playing, concerts, art, history, reading, backpacking, camping, cycling, traveling, sports and so much more. He was a diehard Giants and Yankees fan and attended countless games with family and friends.

Mark is survived by his siblings Alfred (and Mary) Porteus and Matthew (and Collette) Porteus, of Vernon, Florida; Evelyn (and Rusty) Jacobs of Conway, South Carolina; Kathy (and John) Castleman of Niantic, Connecticut; Judy (and Larry) O'Toole of Indian Trail, North Carolina; and Eileen (and Ray) Grabowski of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In addition to his siblings, Mark is survived by his nieces and nephews: Marie Romano, Michael Romano, Jeanine Hastings, Jan Romano, Joseph Romano, Jennifer Kilduff, David Porteus, Christopher Porteus, Maureen O’Toole, Margaret Gonzalez, Jennifer Scarpa Nancy Slyter, Kerry Forte, Matthew Castleman, Brian Castleman, Timothy Castleman, Brendan Brown, Rebecca Brown, Brooke Heiser, Karen Goodman, Neil Johnson, Mark Johnson, Gail Johnson; Grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Vincent Cricco, Mary Kuykendall, Ceili Romano, Joseph Romano, Gerald Hastings, Daniella Carter, Antonio Olivas, Michael Romano, Maggie Romano, Sean Romano, Jessica Butler, Joseph Gonzalez, Vincent Scarpa, Joseph Scarpa, Samantha Scarpa, Gavin Slyter, Emma Kilduff, Luke Kilduff, Colin Castleman, Madison Castleman, Audrey Heiser, Avery Heiser, Andrea McCain, Jennifer Bailey, Olivia Goodman.

Great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews: Skye Cricco, Cade Kuykendall, Colton Kuykendall, Cole Hastings, Robert Hastings, Cruz Carter, Leo Carter, Bruce Carter Piper McCain, Riley McCain, Graeme McCain, Mark is also survived by his very dear, life-long, incredible friends Richie and Pam Schnauthiel and Tommy and Kathy Welch.

Services will be private.

A celebration of Mark’s life is in the planning, and all family and friends will be notified.

For those who wish to share in Mark’s generous spirit, donations in his memory may be made by check or money order to: Vernon Community Food Pantry C/O Mary Porteus 2740 Traverse Drive, Vernon, FL 32462

A Tribute to Mark from “Uncle Richie”:

So we rant and rave on a daily basis about politics and various topics that we really have minimal impact on, and in most cases, do very little about.

Then we lose a friend. A dear friend. A friend for 60 years. A friend who was a brother from another mother. A friend who you shared music, fishing, backpacking, traveling, a love of NYC interests with. Drinking at the lowest of low watering holes (those 75 Rounds at McSorely's for my 25th Birthday after seeing Gentle Giant at the Palladium, one for the ages (10 buy backs from McS....go ahead, I double dog dare ya!.)...and who you've been enjoying the finer NYC Culinary Arts (like Wo Hop, The English Pub, Pier 52, Shandon Star) with for decades.

Gone. For some reason, all else is relatively unimportant in the face of this loss.

RIP Mark Porteus. Your bestie thru the ages, Uncle Richie.