Obituary of Peter W. Bortle

Peter Wesley Bortle was reunited with Our Lord in Heaven on July 18, 2018 at the age of 78. He passed away peacefully, as Jackie, his loving wife of 58 years, was by his side. Peter was born January 25, 1940 in Canastota, New York to George and Sylvia Bortle. He attended Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida where he was enrolled in the Marine Reserves. He served a distinguished nine-year tour in the Navy with Patrol Squadron 45 after which he joined the New York State Police in 1967. During his career with the NYSP he also served in the United States Army Reserve where he earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. Peter retired from the New York State Police in 1984 and became a member of the NYSP Retired Association and the Police Benevolent Association. In retirement, Peter was elected as the Vernon Town Justice where he spent 24 years on the bench. He was a member and President of the Oneida County Magistrates Association and a member of the New York State Magistrates Association. He was also President of the Sherrill Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Sherrill American Legion-Post 230 and a member of the Legion Honor Guard. Peter lived in Sherrill most of his adult life and was a prominent member of the community coaching Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. He enjoyed traveling to his son's college football games as well as playing golf and softball. He loved watching college football, was a huge fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants and was an avid NASCAR fan. Being a native of Florida, he frequently made the annual trek south to attend the Daytona 500 while visiting his sister and brother. He is survived by his wife Jacqualyn, his two children and their spouses, Susan (Bortle) and Jim Doerr and Joe and Kate Bortle, 11 grandchildren and his two siblings Nancy Bierworth and Michael Bortle. Visitation will be held Monday, July 23 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Malecki Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 24th at 11:00am at Malecki Funeral Home with a reception to follow at 1:00pm at The Black Stallion in Vernon. In lieu of flowers, we suggest that a donation be made to the Sherrill American Legion-Post 230 on Peter's behalf.