Montville Teacher, Marine Veteran Dies After Brain Cancer Battle

MONTVILLE, NJ — A Montville High School teacher passed away on Tuesday following a battle with brain cancer. Peter Ardley Porter Jr., of West Orange, was 49.

Porter, an Advanced Placement history teacher, was active at school, taking students on field trips to Europe and Manhattan, and leading the school's history club.

Porter was born and raised in San Diego, California. He served in the Marine Corp during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm with Marine Air Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, an obituary says.

In addition to teaching at Montville High, Porter was an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Seaton Hall University.

According to his obituary:

He was an avid reader, enjoyed travel and was a sports enthusiast. His favorite sports teams included the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Jersey Devils. Peter loved history, music and supporting the performing arts.

“Peter was an outstanding high school social studies teacher, club advisor, and MTEA president. Most importantly, Peter was a dear and valued colleague and friend," Superintendent of Schools René Rovtar wrote in a letter sent to the entire school community. "In my short time in the district, I had developed a close working relationship with Peter and always appreciated his professional approach and cooperative spirit. Students, parents, and staff alike at MTHS, and throughout the district, will be devastated as they hear the news.”

Grief counseling will be available to students at all schools, supervisor of special services, Jennifer Zester-DeSaye said in a letter sent to faculty and staff. Members of the St. Clare’s Crisis Response Team will be at the school to support staff and students.

Students remembered Porter fondly online, saying he was "an inspiration" and "the nicest and coolest teacher."

He is survived by his wife, Val; their daughters Meg and Kathleen; his father, Peter; his brother, Matthew; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral mass will take place on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair. Donations may be made in Porter's memory to ECLC of New Jersey (100 Passaic Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928).

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