HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - Home-going services for former Highland Park Mayor Linsey Porter will include a procession by horse-drawn carriage down Woodward Ave.
WWJ's Vickie Thomas reports Porter's wife is fulfilling that wish, following Porter's death June 18 at age 65 due to complications from pneumonia.
A public visitation is underway Thursday at C.W. Morris - J.W. Henry Funeral Home, Inc.,12700 Hamilton Ave, Highland Park, continuing until 5 p.m.
On Friday, a funeral service is planned for 10 a.m. at Soul Harvest Ministries, 16299 John R. Street, Highland Park, with Martha Reeves to sing "The Lord's Prayer" and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib expected to speak.
The service will be followed by a horse-drawn procession along Woodward through Highland Park, to begin at around 12:15 p.m.
It will travel southbound on Woodward Ave. starting at Ferris Street and ending at Tennyson. The casket at that point will be transferred to a hearse to make the remainder of the trip to Elmwood Cemetery for interment.
Porter was born on October 10, 1954. As a young boy growing up in his hometown of Highland Park, Porter always dreamed of becoming two things, a professional baseball player and the mayor of Highland Park. Porter realized both of those dreams.
Elected the 30th mayor of Highland Park in November of 1991, he became the youngest mayor to ever be elected in the city, then becoming the longest consecutive serving mayor of Highland Park, completing three terms in office, from 1991-2003.
City Councilman Chris Woodard told Thomas Porter was a "great mayor" who brought more development to the city of Highland Park than any other in recent history.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting plants or a tax deductible donation to the E. M. Coleman Adult Foster Care Facility in Highland Park. Donations can be mailed to the facility at 55 Ford, Highland Park, MI 48203.
