In Loving Memory of John-Michael Portelance

Our hearts go out to support John-Michael Portelance as he transitions to the spirit world.

John-Michael Portelance is the beloved son of Roddy and Yoko (Goto). Loving brother of Shizuka (Ben) Pehling, Kiyoshi (Portion) Mitsuishi, Christopher-James, Nakita, David-Paul, Mattias, Mark-Alexander all of Sudbury. Cherished nephew of Uncle Michael, Aunt Lucy and Aunt Susie. Dear cousin of Daniel (Daniela), Mitchell and Neil. Sadly missed by Uncle Don, Aunt Rose and family. He passed away at the age of 22.

John-Michael genuinely fulfilled his role as the eldest son of his family. He was selfless, pure hearted and expressed true love for others. He excelled academically, enjoyed music and dance, and had a passion for capturing and editing videos, spending many long nights creating priceless memories for his family. John- Michael was never afraid to challenge himself and would always strive to get the most out of life. He will be remembered most by his bright smile and free spirit.

The Portelance family is overwhelmed by the support and love that is sent by everyone and is so grateful for your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to still contribute to the prayer chain, you can add your

name to the list.

John-Michael’s Seonghwa (ascension) and Wonjeon (burial) schedule details can found on this website. Donations can be made on the website under “Place a Donation” or can be made at the service. Please make checks payable to “John-Michael Portelance Trust Fund.”

A wake will be held on Wednesday, January 28, from 2:00-9:00 PM at the Lougheed Funeral Home with Prayers at 7:30PM. A funeral service will held on Thursday at 10am at St. Patrick’s Church followed by the Wonjeon ceremony (dress warmly) and a luncheon afterwards. The Seonghwa ceremony will also be on Thursday and will be held at 4PM at the Howard Johnson Plaza Sudbury.

Address for the Seonghwa Ceremony is:

Howard Johnson Plaza Sudbury 50 Brady Street Sudbury, ON P3E 1C8 Canada

Flowers can be sent to the Lougheed Funeral Home at:

252 Regent St. Sudbury, ON P3C 4C8 Canada

Address for St. Patrick’s Church is:

39 Walford Rd Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2 Canada

Sudbury tragedy: ‘He just exuded this spirit’

Jim Moodie January 28, 2015 The Sudbury Star

A young Sudbury man killed Friday in a crash on Highway 69 has left a “big, big hole” in many hearts, says a family member.

John Portelance, 22, was the eldest son of a large, close-knit family — he is survived by seven siblings — whose generosity and joie de vivre infected those around him.

“He was the most beautiful soul ever,” said aunt Susie Portelance. “He lit up a room with his heart and his spirit.”

John was driving to Toronto in a Dodge Durango with sister Nakita beside him in the passenger seat, and brother Christopher following in a separate vehicle, when a trailer he was hauling behind the SUV began to fishtail and he collided with a northbound transport.

“The engine of the Durango flew out and hit their brother’s car behind them,” said the aunt. “He could have been killed, too.” John Portelance Luckily, the projectile struck the grille of Christopher’s vehicle instead of the window, and Nakita — whom Christopher rushed to help — miraculously escaped with just a broken toe. But the older brother was pronounced dead on the scene.

“It’s just horrific for these kids,” said Susie.

The three were travelling to Toronto to join their parents, who run a business selling merchandise in mall kiosks. All of the children help out in the family enterprise, said the aunt, and John was towing a trailer full of products.

John may have been young, but he was an exceptionally bright and dependable individual, she said. He had taken a semester off from his studies in e-commerce at Laurentian University to work with his parents, who valued the skills he brought to the table.

“Because he was so smart, he was going to be the brains behind the operation,” said Susie. “My brother runs the business and gets the contracts, but John was so gifted at technical things.”

She said John and Christopher often drove to cities outside Sudbury where there were opportunities to market wares, and were anything but reckless behind the wheel.

“All these kids are cautious drivers,” she said. “John wasn’t going fast that day, but the road conditions were atrocious.”

The accident occurred about an hour south of Sudbury, near Britt, around 8 p.m. The driver and a passenger of the transport were treated for minor injuries.

Since the horrible and heartbreaking event, the family has received an outpouring of concern and support from the community. “The place is packed,” said Susie, speaking from the Portelance home on Tuesday. “We can’t keep up with the food coming through the door.”

John, like the rest of the children, is of mixed parentage, his father Roddy being of franco-Ontarian stock from Markstay, and his mother Yoko hailing from Japan.

Susie said John embraced the Asian part of his identity as much as his Caucasian roots. “He was very proud of his Japanese heritage,” she said.

Born in New York State, John came to Sudbury with his parents before his first birthday. He attended St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, excelling academically, and pursued gymnastics, music and dance. He once won a ballroom dance competition, noted Susie.

His aunt said he was particularly adept with computers and had a passion for shooting and editing video.

“He really enjoyed putting together video collages with memories and music,” she said. “Anything electronic, we would turn it over to John.”

She said the family has always been extremely close, “like the Waltons” of TV fame in the degree that they are interwoven. “The kids have other friends, but their best friends are each other.”

John put in long days working, but was also generous with his younger siblings. “He would sit up and help them with homework,” said his aunt.

He was soft-spoken, but exuberant, too.

“He just exuded this spirit,” she said. “He was smiling all the time, and would laugh at anything you said. He really enjoyed life — and you could see it in his face.”

A funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church on Walford Road.

Visitation is today from 2-9 p.m at Lougheed Funeral Home.