Harry F. Portz

U.S. Air Force veteran

Published:

Friday, October 2, 2009 9:47 AM EDT

CLAVERACK — Harold Frances Portz, 75, died suddenly at home on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. Born Dec. 20, 1933, in Hastings, Neb., he was the son of the late Joseph and Leva Portz of Hastings, Neb.

Harry is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Nancy Hanna Portz; and his three children, Mark Portz and wife Eddie of Wichita, Kan., Lisa Marie Lease of Lorton, Va., and Michael Patrick Hanna Portz and partner Madeleine Argouarch of Carmel, Calif. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Loni Paulson and husband Michael of Wichita, Kan.; and Jordan Kerrigan, Justin Lease and Jared Lease of Lorton, Va.; as well as one great-granddaughter, Taryn Paulson of Wichita, Kan.

Other survivors include his five brothers: Jerome Portz and wife Myriam of Daconia, Colo.; Donald Portz and wife Joyce of Blue Springs, Mo.; Gus Portz and wife Anne of Clio, Ala.; Charles Portz and wife Kelly of Milliken, Colo.; and Leonard Portz and wife Barbara of Westminister, Colo.; and one sister, Eileen Mousel and husband Don of Juniata, Neb.; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. His sole surviving aunt is Eileen Kieffe of Hastings, Neb.

Additionally, Harry is survived by his beloved in-laws, William S. Hanna of Claverack; Robert Hanna of Germantown; Mary Ria Hanna of Arlington, Va.; Edward and Maria Hanna of Fairfax, Va.; Kathy, Katie and Patricia Van Valkenburgh of Greenport; Patricia, Michael and Hannah Koskowski of Greenport; and John, Rene, Abigail and Olivia Hanna of Athens.

Harry was proud of his airline career, which spanned nearly five decades. He retired from U.S. Airways as regional properties director in 1996 after 33 years of dedicated service. Harry then served as assistant director of aviation for the city of Houston, Texas, and retired after six years. He then relocated to Claverack with his wife Nancy and son Michael. Not one to rest on his laurels, Harry was employed as an aviation consultant at Stewart International Airport for the past 10 years and was also a licensed Realtor affiliated with Weichert.

Mr. Portz was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Hudson. For the past 16 years, Harry was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson and the Hudson Elk’s Lodge.

Among Harry’s many passions were spending time with his family, traveling with his wife Nancy to Mexico, the Caribbean, Ireland, Scotland and Canada; visiting his family in Kansas, Virginia, California, Colorado, Missouri, Alabama and Nebraska and throughout the U.S.; as well as gardening and “putting around the house.” He was also a wine connoisseur.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at the Bates & Anderson Funeral Home, 110 Green St., Hudson, today (Friday, Oct. 2, 2009_ between the calling hours of 4 and 8 p.m. Family and friends may meet at Bates & Anderson at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at St. Mary’s church on Allen Street in Hudson.

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