Charles M. VanderPorten's Obituary
Charles VanderPorten, age 67, of Hayward, CA passed away on August 20, 2010. Known to his friends as Chuck, and known to his son as Dad, he was born in New Jersey on March 11, 1943 to Cyrus VanderPorten and Catherine Grifin. Chuck joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 and worked in the artillery. In 1968, Chuck moved to San Francisco. Eventually he would join the United States Postal Service, where he proudly worked as a mailhandler for 32 years until he retired in 2009. Chuck had many hobbies: photography, astronomy, astrophotography, motorcycling, homebuilding, gardening, cooking, and enjoyed reading science fiction. Chuck built his dream Harley and loved to ride it. If a friend was in need, Chuck would be there to help him or her. Chuck did not turn people (or animals) away who needed help.In 2001, Chuck was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis of the lungs, and in 2006 he became so ill he needed constant oxygen. Determined not to slow, Chuck kept working, reading, and doing his hobbies. In 2007, Chuck was blessed with the gift of a lung transplant, and as a result of this was reinvigorated. He returned to work 3 months after the operation. Chuck reconnected with family, intensified his gardening, cooking, baking, and grew spiritually. In August of 2010, Chuck was diagnosed with cancer, and he succumbed to complications of this disease. Chuck’s fighting spirit lives on in us and he will be dearly missed as a father, a friend, and brother. "Winners never quit, and quitters never win" was his personal motto.Charles is survived by his son David and son’s wife Erica; close friends; sisters Carol Fitzpatrick and husband Thomas; sister Mary; nieces and nephews; pet S.B.; predeceased by sister Ann Grace Hughes. A service will be held in memory of Chuck on August 27, 2010, 11 am - 1 pm, at Skylawn Memorial Park, 92W and Skyline Blvd, San Mateo, CA.Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, www.lungsusa.org, (202) 785-3355, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004.
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