Thomas Portorenski, Sr.

Thomas Joseph Potorenski, Sr. age 83 passed away on April 27, 2021, in Ingleside, Texas at his home with his loving family by his side.

He was born on November 30, 1937, to Edward Ignatius Potorenski and Mary McGlone in the city of New York, NY. Thomas was the only son and second born of three.  He enlisted into the Navy in Passaic, New Jersey at age 17, and spent the next 22 years serving. Thomas's love for the Navy continued by working in civil service as a drug and alcohol counselor for the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX for another 16 years. He was stationed at VP-28 Barber Point Hawaii, USS Saratoga , PR Schools Natic Lakehurst, NJ, VA-93 NAS Lemore USS Midway, and NAS Corpus Christi, TX.  During his time in the Navy he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Exped Medal (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and 5 awards for Good Conduct.

During Thomas's days serving in the Navy, he met the love of his life, his wife Lydia Potorenski, 57 years ago.  They were married in Kingsville,
TX on November 10, 1964.  In 1979 they moved to Ingleside on the Bay, TX, and raised their family.  He was involved with the Lady of Assumption Catholic Church,  Fleet Reserve Association for 50 years, American Legion, and the VFW.  Thomas was a prominent member of the Alcohol Anonymous program in this area, in which he was a mentor for so many.  He and his family were very proud of his sobriety of 47 years.

His beautiful life will be forever remembered and cherished by his wife, Lydia Potorenski, daughter, Gia Gates, and his four son's (wives), Faustino (Nelda) Villarreal, Jesse R. (Rosie) Villarreal, Charles (Stacy) Tanner, and Thomas Joseph (Genalle) Potorenski Jr., sister Barbara Bristol, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and extended family.  He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Mary Potorenski, and his sister Constance Marchese. Thomas was a sincere, honest, wise, dependable man who loved his family very much.  His love for his family was very well known and he was a true role model by all those who knew him.  He loved traveling, fishing, boating, sailing, camping, and family gatherings.

Pallbearers include his grandson's: CJ Tanner, Kyle Potorenski, Austin Leake, JJ Villarreal, Darin Cantu, Wesley Villarreal, Jacob Gates

Visitation will be at 1:00-8:00 p.m., Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home located in Aransas Pass, Tx.  Wednesday, May 5, 2021, final viewing at 9 a.m. at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home.  Mass to be held at Our Lady of the Assumption at 11 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Charlie Marshall Funeral Home & Crematory

2003 W. Wheeler Ave

Aransas Pass, Texas 78336