It is with broken hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of David Francis Porter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend on Saturday, May 30, 2026.  Born and raised in Sydney Mines, he was the son of the late Colin Francis Porter and Marguerite Kernick.

In Dave’s early years, he had a blast swimming and diving off the rocks at Black Point. When he was a little older, he enjoyed playing hockey, guitar, and riding his motorbike. He loved camping and going on picnics with his family. Dave enjoyed many trips to the highlands to go fishing with his brothers, as well. Dave had a fun-loving nature and he adored music and singing. He wrote plenty of songs and sang at lots of family gatherings. Dave had a strong faith in the Lord, which he carried throughout his life.

Dave worked for many years as a coal miner, starting in Princess Colliery, followed by Lingan, and finally retiring from Prince Mine in the early 2000’s. He then went back to school and became a CCA for many more years. He worked with both the County and Northside Homemakers, before he retired.

Left to mourn are: his loving wife Sherry (Canavan) Porter, loving daughter Shelly Gerrow and son-in-law Paul Gerrow, as well as his 2 grandchildren who he dearly loved Brandon and Amber Gerrow. Dave had a large family whom he has also left to mourn: his brothers Gary (Brenda), Greg (Agnes) and Brant (Carson) Porter; his sisters, Marina Robinson and Noel (Jim) Williams, sisters-in-law Rosemary Steeves, Wanda (Brian) Canavan McGean; brother-in-law Wayne (Diane) Canavan; special aunt-in-law Yvonne Johnson and many nieces, nephews, great/grand nieces, nephews and cousins.

David is predeceased by brothers Billy, Randy, and Curtis Porter, his sister Gale Porter, stepfather Duncan White, niece Betty Colleen, nephew Collin Porter, sister-in-law Joanne Jillian Porter, brother-in-law Joseph Robinson, mother and father-in-law Bella and Alec Canavan, brother-in-law Lloyd Canavan, sister and brother-in-law June and George Jaques, nephew David Canavan.

Special thanks to EHS, the VON, and Red Cross.

Visitation for David will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with David Swan officiating with burial to follow in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney.  The service will be live-streamed on the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home Facebook page. Facebook Memorial donations can be made to Souls Harbour or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.