It is with great sadness that we report the sudden death of Joseph Porco. Joe was stricken at his home and passed on a sunny Sunday, June 7 afternoon at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Joe and his brother Dominick operated Porco Energy in Marlboro and Wurtsboro New York. Porco Energy was founded in 1954 by their parents, Anthony & Lilian Porco, and started as a Petrolane dealership before becoming independent in the early 1970’s as Porco Energy. Lillian sat as President for many years. Brothers Joe and Dominick had always been around the family business as kids and they joined the company with greater responsibilities in the early 1980’s. Joe’s son Timothy, his daughter Nicole and nephew Chris Scaturro joined a few decades later, taking on key roles in the company.

After nearly 65 years of successful business with a wonderful and loyal staff, Joe and Dominick chose to sell the company to Superior Energy in 2018. Joe stayed on as a key business advisor for nearly a year and a half under an initial contract that he later renewed with Superior Energy.

Joe served his company’s customers, the propane industry, and the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) in nearly every way possible. He utilized his degree in Accounting to begin serving on the Association’s Executive Board as Treasurer starting in 2002 which ultimately led to his NYPGA Presidency (2010 – 2012). Joe then directly supported the financial needs of NYPGA Member Safety Programs with New York Propane Education and Research Council (NYPERC) first as a board member since 2012 and then Chair from 2018 – 2020. He stepped down from his NYPERC responsibilities earlier this year due to selling his business. In 2018, Joe was also chosen to represent New York in a national capacity as State Executive to serve the interests of all New York propane marketers. His involvement grew to the Convention Committee of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). At just 59 years, Joe Porco had been perhaps the youngest Elder Statesman in the aging propane industry for many years.

Joe quietly and generously supported many local, regional, national and community causes but perhaps none more prominent than when he purchased a new bobtail, re-colored it pink and billboarded it for heightened community awareness and support for breast cancer research. He developed a second bobtail for awareness and support of the Anderson School of Autism. Joe and Debbie proudly co-founded Lucy The Rescue Dog, Inc., a 501(c)(3), which provides financial assistance to pet families in emergency situations.

Porco Energy helped many neighboring propane marketers and other businesses including, at Joe’s direction, working hand-in-hand to directly encourage and deeply support the start-up of at least one other new propane company in the very competitive Lower Hudson (NY) Valley. Joe was also active in the Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council.

Joe loved cars, particularly Corvettes. He finally found his favorite just last year after a long search - a beautiful 1963 split window model. Joe was active in many car and truck clubs and associations and he loved attending auctions held by Mecum and others.

Just the day before Joe was stricken, he and his nephew Chris Scaturro were blessed to enjoy one of many bountiful Italian luncheons that they continued to share over the years at the home of Joe’s mother, Lillian.

Joe leaves his wife Debbie, with whom he celebrated his 36th wedding anniversary just last Tuesday. He also leaves his son Timothy and his wife Rosie & daughter Nicole; his brother Dominick and his wife Ingeborg, his sister Carolyn, several nieces and nephews and cousins, and a strong stable of historic automobiles.