Obituary of Philip Porado

Philip P. Porado, 84, known to most as Phil or Grampa, passed away April 1st surrounded by his family. A Princeton resident since 1967, and known for his traffic-stopping front gardens, Phil was a manager at La Vake and Hamilton Jewelers on Nassau St. He also had his own appraisal firm, Scott and Porado with former LaVake colleague Hubert Scott from 1980 until 1982. A past president of the Princeton Lions Club, Pettoranello Foundation board member, and American Legion parade marcher, Phil also was a Juilliard-trained concert master for the Ars Nova chamber orchestra and numerous other local classical music ensembles. He performed regularly with the Connecticut Symphony and Connecticut Pops from 1947 until the mid-1950s and taught violin to students in Lordship and Fairfield, Connecticut. Phil was the first man to play a violin from the stage of the Shakespeare Theater in Stratford, Connecticut and could tell side splitting tales about the antics of Christopher Plummer, Jack Palance, Jerry Stillar and Roddy McDowall during rehearsals and performances of the Tempest by that company in the summer of 1955. Indeed, for most, Phil was best known for his talent as a story teller. All who came within earshot, usually over a beer, can recount hearing him spin a yarn about his beloved family members, his childhood in Black Rock, Connecticut, fishing with his children in the Long Island Sound or off the New Jersey coast, memories of the Depression and War years, his Navy service, or time at music school. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Dan Hill of Doylestown, PA, son and daughter-in-law Philip and Hilary Porado of Toronto, Canada, four grand-daughters - Caitrin McLean (and husband Matt), Ellen Hill, and Martha and Electa Porado, and one great-grandson Alessandro Leone. His beloved wife Doris passed away in 2000. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to the Princeton Pettoranello Foundation or the Trenton Community Music School. The family would like to extend its thanks to the many friends and neighbors who enabled Phil to remain in his home during his last years. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on May 11 at Trinity Church on Mercer Street, followed by a reception at his home.