Iron Mountain-Charles Joseph Porta, 93, died Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the University of Minnesota Hospital with his daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law, Greg McAllister, on either side of his bed.

He was born January 29, 1926, the youngest of 14 children to Italian immigrants Carlo and Clara Porta. He grew up on the family farm in Randville, Michigan, attended Channing High School, and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1944.

While still in high school, he enlisted in the US Navy. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he entered the Navy. Charlie proudly served our country in World War II, primarily on the island of New Guinea and elsewhere in the South Pacific. At the age of 90, he was recognized for his service with a World War II Honor Flight to Washington D.C. accompanied by Melissa.

On September 16, 1950, Charlie married Therese at Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Throughout his life, Charlie enjoyed many hobbies including archery, hunting, fishing, golf, and hiking. He owned a hunting camp near Channing, the 32.30 Gun Club, and hunted deer there every year with friends from Detroit. After selling the camp, he spent every summer week-end with his family at their cottage on Buck Lake, near Alpha, Mich.

After his retirement from Grede Foundries, Charlie and Therese moved to Sun City, Arizona where they enjoyed a very active retirement together with many new friends. In his 70s, Charlie enjoyed golf, wood working, and hiking in the Arizona mountains. He hiked the Grand Canyon multiple times, including a multi-day rim to rim trip in his mid-70s that took him from the north rim of the canyon, to Phantom Ranch at the bottom, and out the south rim. He enjoyed a camping and fishing trip from Canada to Alaska with his friend, Merv Nielsen. In his 80s, Charlie continued fishing, and in his 90s enjoyed playing poker and bridge and visiting with his many friends. He volunteered his time at Boswell Hospital and the Westside Food Bank. He was a member of Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Sun City.

He is survived by his daughter, Melissa Porta, and son-in-law, Greg McAllister, of Woodbury, Minn., and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Therese, on their 61st wedding anniversary; his parents; brothers Francis, Joseph, Louis, John, Pietro, and Robert; and sisters Theresa, Charlotte, Emily, Johanna, Olympia, Lorraine, and Judith.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 11, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. The Rosary will be offered Thursday, 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Prayers will be recited Friday, April 12, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church, Iron Mountain. Rev. Fr. Janusz Romanek will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. The Uren Copper Johnson American Legion Post #50 will accord military honors at graveside.

You may leave a condolence or tribute for Charles' family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Charles' legacy of life.