Anthony Lamont Porter, Jr.

UTICA - Anthony L. “Holla Holla” Porter, Jr., age 54, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 23, 2019, after a good life. Born in Utica on August 20, 1964, Anthony was the son of Thelma Porter and the late Anthony L. Porter, Sr. He also knew the love of his stepfather Charles Lee Loftly who preceded him. In his youth, Porter was a great athlete and excelled at the games of football and basketball, and later coached his son, Antoine. Porter later received a Certificate in Welding which encouraged him to enroll in the welding program at MVCC. He was anticipating graduating in May of 2019 with an Associate’s Degree. Porter’s first job was with a local slaughter house. He was the owner of Porter Construction. Porter was well known throughout Utica as the ‘Eastside Legend’, a lovable guy gifted with the ability to come up with laughable phrases including “Holla Holla”, “OMG”, “Can I… make you laugh?”, and “I don’t chase them, I replace them!” He was the hype man of the party, and everyone knew him. He was sociable, and anywhere there was a party he was there and he was also a good cook. At one time he was the ‘Dress King’, clothes always pressed, cologne splashed, shoes shined! He was the Mac Daddy! And dancing! All he had to do was hear a song, and he would get down, …any place, anytime! He never got old! He was always 28. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He had a great spirit and a generous heart. He would do anything for anybody. No one could shut him up but his momma. His children were a blessing. But being Poppy to his grandbabies was the ultimate. He was very protective of his sister Sabrina who he called “Beba” and she called him “Fool”. He was always watching over others, especially the children in the neighborhood. He touched the hearts of many people, and his passing is a big loss. Porter is survived by his mother, Thelma, with whom he shared a strong bond; his children, DeShauna Porter-Frazier (Victor) and her mother Pamela Frazier; Anthony L. Porter III, and DaMaré Porter (Angie) and their mom Victoria Clark; Antoine Porter, Clay Woods (Danielle), and Christopher Hazeltine and their mother Sandra Hazeltine; his grandchildren, Anthony Ja’Quez Frazier; Destiny, Jaiden Anthony Porter; Monaé, and Cashae Porter, Tatiyona, Demetrius and Demetri Warren; Stella Mae Woods; and Andre’ Lamont Spain; his siblings and their loves, Sabrina and David Engram, Tyrone Porter, and Surita Coleman. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, David (Zaniah), and Keenan; Devon, and SanJolé; aunts and uncles, especially remembering Mae Frances Cox, as well as Sheila, Bernice, Mary, Theresa Hawkins-Hagen, the late Mildred and Louise, Uncle Walt, Edward, Julius, Robert, and the late Richard, Bill, James and Matt Blackshear; cousins, Kip, John John, Theresa, Brian, and Pat; God-sister, Arien Crewe. At the end of the day, Porter had a crew including John Smith, Jessie Dennis, Sam Smith, Bernard Weather, Anthony Washington, Donnell Wallace, Chris Harvey, Kenny Spratt, Maurice Jones, Michael Pitts, Willie Linder, Tony Ward, Carl, Willie Felton, the late Lyle Johnson and the late Donny Holmes. He also loved Grandpa and Grandma Frazier, Minnie Johnson, Betty Jones, Jurdine Smith, and his former third grade teacher, Jean Owens-Davis. Visitation will be held on Friday afternoon from 12:00-2:00 at St. Matthew’s Temple Church of God in Christ, 110 Washington St., Utica, NY 13501. Anthony’s Home Going Service will commence on Friday afternoon at 2:00 at the church officiated by Rev. Pastor Griffin. Celebration of Life to follow at the North Utica American Legion on Herkimer Rd. Interment will take place in New Forest Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Anthony Lamont Porter, Jr.

August 20, 1964 - March 23, 2019