Saratoga Springs, NY - Steven Kenneth Porter, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, April 3, 2017. He was 65.

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, he and his twin brother, Grant, attended the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, where they both played lacrosse and Steve served as the trainer for the football team.  He graduated with a BA in History from Princeton University in 1973, where he was a member of the University Cottage Club. He received his JD from Hofstra Law School in 1976 and practiced law in Manhattan before relocating to Albany, New York, in 1982.

Steve was a key leader of the Galesi Group of Companies for nearly thirty years, serving as its General Counsel and Senior Vice President. His integrity, work ethic, and creativity were models for young attorneys and the legal profession at large. His efforts directly resulted in game-changing projects in real estate, oil and gas, and telecommunications throughout the Capital Region and across the country. The fruits of his labor – most notably the development of Mohawk Harbor and downtown Schenectady – will benefit Albany-area communities for generations to come.

A resident of Saratoga Springs, he was an avid patron of arts and culture in the region. He never missed Opening Day at the track, loved connecting with his British horse-racing relatives at the Fasig-Tipton sales, admired the beauty and history of Yaddo Gardens, and vehemently supported local food and wine festivals. His favorite memories included evenings at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club and "First Fridays" with his buddies.

To know Steve was to know his love of music. For him, singing was not just a hobby; it was a passion. At Princeton, he sang a cappella with the Tigertones, once performing with Bette Midler in Bermuda and most recently celebrating the group's 70th anniversary with his son, who joined the group three decades after him. Most recently, he served as proud member and President of the Racing City Chorus in Saratoga, bringing new energy to the organization and entertaining audiences throughout the Capital Region.

He is survived by his wife, Elena Brannstrom; his twin brother, Grant; his children Whitney (Porter) Malone (Paul) and Steve Porter (Amy); his step-children, Sam and Nike Brannstrom; and his four granddaughters, Liv Malone, Vivienne Malone, Eloise Porter, and Olive Porter, whom he deeply adored.

In the words of a friend, Steve was a "gregarious force," who will be remembered for his eternal optimism, magnetic personality, good humor, passion for music and performance, and unwavering devotion to his friends and family.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Steve's life and legacy at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club at 12 PM Sunday, April 30.

In his memory, Steve's family invites contributions to the Racing City Chorus, PO Box 713 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.