Birth date: Sep 29, 1944 Death date: Jan 14, 2011
James Portela, 66, of Madison, formerly of Haymarket, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2011. He was born in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 29, 1944 to the late Oscar and Lydia Portela (Crespo). In the early sixties he came to Miami thro Read Obituary
Dad, life is changing and there are new additions to our families! Garrett has a new baby and a wonderful girlfriend who I’m sure you’d love, Stacey and Brian are married and Paisley is 2 years old now, super cute! And it feels like old lady Karma may just live forever. Mom is doing great and we sold our house in Bealeton and live with her in Madison now. It’s a blessing and I feel truly blessed to spend every day with her. I love you and I think about you all the time. Miss you every day. Love you, Dad!
One of my favorite memories is the first time you took me to shoot a 12 guage. I was 11 or 12 years old. We walked out to the woods, you had me hold the gun ready and stood directly behind me and threw out a milk jug. I didn't understand why you were so close, right behind me. You said shoot so I did. I learned exactly why you were there. You kept me from falling on my butt. You were good at giving an instruction, but letting life teach the why. You did that so many times, and it was only once I was older I realized there's always a why. Thanks for being such a great dad and letting me learn the hard way sometimes. Love you.
Hi Dad, just checking in. Sydney foundLucas on google today because some of his pics were posted on your page a while back :) She is growing up so much. She is starting 7th grade on Aug 15th, Caylin and Alysse are starting 6th, Aryn is starting 4th and Lucas - kindergarten. Ben will be 16 mos. Aug 4th and we got a dog and named him Milo! Lol people say we are crazy but we are just blessed to have such a big family. Aaron is going back to school and working hard, me too. His Dad, George, lives with us now. I wish mom did sometimes. When Uncle Charlie passed away she took his dog, Bruno, who is old and big and happy lol. Penny is gone and DJ lives with Kurt and Diana and Jay. Its so weird how life changes. I'll add some newer family pics. Wish you were here. Love you sooo much, so much. Xoxo
Hi Dad, thinking about you a lot lately. Aaron's mom passed away In February and it was hard on him. They had a special relationship, it makes me think of you. We have one more addition coming. It's a boy and his name will probably be Benjamin Alexander. He's supposed to be here April 7th, no later. Mom's doing well, so are Stacey and Brian. Christy and Garrett are doing pretty well too. I don't see anyone as much because I work a lot and on the weekends we're busy doing family things with the kids, work is still great though. I miss you and I love you.
Dad, great news, Stacey got married a little over a week ago to a guy that I think is perfect for her, Brian. They both looked so happy and she was so beautiful. I'll add some pics once I get some. Julie had a baby, Lily, and Lucas was in love with her. A lot has happened in the last year. I still think about you all the time and miss you so much. Life is not the same. I understand you now, I have for a while. I feel the same way you did quite often. Life is lonely since you're gone but I have Aaron and the kids. :) Work is going great for now, I am fortunate. Oh, and we bought a small house in August!!! :) Alysse and Aryn love hearing stories about you and I'm sure Lucas will once he's a little older. I gotta go, Dad. It's late and I'm still out and about. Xoxox ;) gazookoo
Nancy and Roy!!! Thank you so much for your kind words :) I'm going to look you up and give my mom your contact info!
Dad, Happy Thanksgiving. The kids are growing and doing great in school. Sydney and Caylin are both being tested for GT and Alysse and Aryn and learning so much so fast. Lucas is going to be unwrapping his own Christmas presents this year. He is a cutie. Stacey is doing good, and so is Mom.
I think about you all the time and I love you so much! I really wish you were here - I feel like I am so much like you and I have such a great understanding for why you did things and said things. I thank you for everything you did for me.
I love you.
XOXO ;)
Gazookoo
