Jack Porter, for nearly three decades, was the beating heart of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Jack passed away in 2019 and will forever be part of our beloved grove. His passion, love and commitment to not just the memorial, but to the many people he met during his countless days within its warm embrace, will never be able to be replaced.
Jack was the historian of the memorial, visiting it several times a week and helping care for it and the Circle of Friends, where he would collect mementos left by others in the memory of loved ones lost to HIV and AIDS. Those loving acts will live on forever, as Jack’s collection remains with the memorial and is displayed every World AIDS Day.
Jack’s dedication to the memorial was also a testament to his love for his former partner, Stephen Marcus, who’s name is engraved in the Circle of Friends.
