Anthony Poortinga

Anthony Poortinga East Wenatchee, WA Anthony Poortinga was born January 12, 1948, in the state of California and moved to Washington State with his family and started a dairy farm. Anthony graduated from Lynden High School in 1967, and served in the Army, completing a tour in Europe. He served in the Army Intelligence Division in Germany to utilize his photographic memory, developing pictures under the pretense of repairing vehicles in an auto repair garage. While in Europe, Anthony gained an interest in motorcycles and toured all over Europe and then, once he returned to the States, he continued touring with army buddy, Paul Crowl. Once he finished his motorcycle tour of the States, he began working at the Arco Refinery near Bellingham. After a couple years with Arco, Anthony worked as a laborer for the Milwaukee Railroad. While working for the railroad, he met and married Georgia Young. In 1976, they moved to Wenatchee from Lynden and settled in the Valley. They had two girls, first Erin, and then, Mindy. Although Anthony and Georgia divorced in 1980, they have remained friends for the last 30 years, which has been a blessing to their children. Anthony did marry a second time and later divorced. For work, Anthony joined Cascade Cable Construction and stayed there for nearly 20 years. Ed, Anthony’s youngest brother, and his wife, Anita Poortinga, joined Anthony and his family to live in Wenatchee a short while after the move. Ed and Anthony worked together at Cascade Cable Construction for five years. After his years of employment with Cascade Cable Construction, Anthony started his own utility and excavation company, Utilities Technology. Ed worked for Anthony as a Foreman one year. Anthony continued Utilities Technology successfully for 11 years. Once the industry began to change, he struggled to find a new calling and Anthony’s Cheap Tow was created. As a member of the First Church of the Nazarene for over 30 years, Anthony loved his church family. He was involved in nearly all church functions, teaching Sunday School to four year old children and always passing out Tootsie Pops to the children he picked up every Sunday on the church bus. This final chapter of his life, his towing company, was the highlight of his life. He absolutely loved every day of this job. It allowed him plenty of time to read and make friends. He loved to help people and loved being a part of their lives. His generosity was felt by many. This generosity and his good heart, as well as his bright orange vest and cowboy hat, made him an icon in the Wenatchee Valley. His kindness and sense of humor was known by all who met him. Anthony had many passions and interests. Reading, local hockey games and car races at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval were just some of them. Anthony even sponsored a car and also was a crew member on Lloyd Palm’s racing team. In February of this year, Anthony finally took the time from his towing to travel to Israel with a church group. On this trip, he met many fascinating people and had an amazing visit. He came back to Wenatchee excited because this trip had been a lifelong dream. Anthony touched many lives and leaves behind some very close friends. Paul Krowll, Ron Lake, Dave Mumau and Lloyd Palm were his closest friends. Anthony cherished and greatly respected these men, but he also considered all he met as “new friends.” Anthony had a great love for his family, especially for his two daughters, Erin and Mindy, and his grandchildren, Brigg and Olivia. This was very apparent to all who saw the grandchildren, working alongside with him when he was out towing, or at Denny’s or Jimmy’s Diner, eating a meal. Anthony loved to surround himself with his family and was a true “family man.” He leaves behind a very large family. Again, his daughters, Erin Reyna and Mindy Poortinga; Anthony’s surviving mother, Dena Poortinga; his siblings, Ann and Bruce Taubenbeim, Tillie and Clareon Van Drogelen, Mary and Art Doering, John and Pat Poortinga, Henry Jr. “Hank” and Kathy Poortinga, Sadie and Joe Steiner, Evelyn and Marv Heeringa, Ed and Anita Poortinga and Sylvia and Jerry Watson; and step-siblings, Dena Geleynse Van Dyken Poortinga, Gary and Drane Van Dyken and Gerdene Morrison.Anthony also leaves behind his son-in-law, Michael Reyna; grandchildren, Brigg Reyna and Olivia Reyna; and his extended family, Georgia Vaughn and Valerie, Grey and Corbin Cruz. There are simply too manynephews and nieces to mention. Anthony will truly be missed by all, for he really was a wonderful man. The world will never be the same without him. A Celebration of Anthony’s Life will be held Saturday, December 4, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1011 S.Miller, Wenatchee. Arrangements assisted by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.

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Anthony Poortinga

January 12, 1948 - November 27, 2010