DANIEL PORTZER

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Daniel G. Portzer, 39, of Erie, Pa. and formerly of Warren, Pa. died Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pa. after a brief illness.

He was born February 1, 1969 in Warren, Pa. and has resided most of his life in Warren and has resided the past 11 years in Erie, Pa.

He attended the former Warren County Crippled Childrens PreSchool, South Street School, where he won the 5th Grade Spelling Bee in 1979, and was a 1987 graduate of Sheffield High School.

He was a 1993 graduate of Gate House established through the Spina Bifida Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dan had served as Poster Child of the former Warren County Crippeled Childrens and the former Warren County Easter Seals.

He attended as a teen, Camp LendAHand of Meadville, Pa. and the Spina Bifida Summer Camp of Wexford, Pa.

He learned to swim and received a medal from the Rainbow Swim at the Warren Y.M.C.A.

He was an avid comic book and penguin collector. He was known by his family to enjoy books and words, a die hard Bill Cosby fan, and enjoyed old time television programs, including Gilligan's Island, 3 Stooges, etc.

He was awarded the Ad Altar Dei Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

He is survived by his mother, Wilma Newell Portzer of Warren Pa.; maternal grandmother, Evelyn Newell of St. Mary's, Pa.; his five sisters, Tina Leonard (Jason), Mary Beth Zdarko (John) all of Warren, Pa., Vicki Duarte (Paulo) of Lake Mary, Florida, Theresa Farrell (Mike) of Warren, Pa., and Barbara Rockenbach (Jim) of Philadelphia, Pa.; nieces and nephews, Adam Zdarko and Matthew Leonard; God Child Jenna Zdarko, Joshua Leonard all of Warren, Pa., Andres Duarte of Lake Mary, Florida, God Child, Katelyn Leonard of Warren, Pa., Daniela Duarte of Lake Mary, Florida, Patty, Danny and Laura Farrell all of Warren, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel L. Portzer who died July 28, 1996; paternal grandparents, Leonard and Loretta Portzer and maternal grandfather, George Newell.

Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, Pa. from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, where a vigil service will be conducted at 8:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church with Msgr. John Lucas, Pastor, officiating, assisted by Deacons Joseph Lucia and Raymond Wiehagen.

Interment will be in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the Donald Mills Achievement Center, 250 Hospital Drive, Warren, Pa. 16365, the Spina Bifida Foundation or the Erie Independence House, 1611 Peach Street, Erie, Pa. 1651.