Vernon L. Gorton, Sr

Vernon L. Gorton Sr. of Portsmouth passed away July 3, 2010 at his 87 Freeborn Street home. Born in Fall River Mass. he was the son of the late John B. Gorton and Mary Sullivan Gorton. He was the brother of the late Thomas Gorton, John B. Gorton Jr. and Eileen Gorton Shanley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Anna E. Sullivan Gorton, his children Joanne Gorton, Nancy Harrington and her husband Kevin, and Vernon Gorton Jr. and his wife Beverly, all of Portsmouth and Patricia Khokasian and her husband Raffi of Tiverton, nine grandchildren: Micaela Harvey, Hannah Harvey, Emma Harvey, James Cheever, Jr., Ryan Harrington, Connor Harrington, Samuel Gorton, Maggie Gorton and Bridget Henriques and cherished nieces and nephews. Mr. Gorton was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, serving as an Aviation/Radioman on the USS Antietam in the South Pacific, and earning the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal and American Theatre Medal. Until his retirement in 1980 he was employed as Grounds Foreman in the Public Works Dept. at the Naval Education and Training Center where he was recognized for advocating employment opportunities for the disabled and for his work keeping NETC fully operational during the Blizzard of 78. He was a member of the Portsmouth Lions Club for over 45 years and served as King Lion in 1969-70. He was a former Board member of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District and Portsmouth Heart Fund Chairman. Mr. Gorton served many years as Portsmouths Sealer of Weight and Measures, was a long time member of the Glen Park Committee, a former Vice Chairman of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee and a member of the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club. He enjoyed nature and devoted many happy hours planning and tending to his vegetable garden and the numerous flower beds at his home. His funeral will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 9:00am, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am, in St. Anthonys Catholic Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will take place in Portsmouth Cemetery.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, from 4:00-8:00pm, in the Connors Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Visiting Nurses Services of Newport and Bristol Counties and the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department.