Oscar Poriss

Oscar Poriss, 75 of West Hartford passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2008 after a sudden illness. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Joseph Vinick and by his brother, Raymond Poriss. Oscar was born March 16, 1933 in Hartford, the son of the late Hyman R. and Anna (Gross) Poriss. He graduated from Weaver High School in 1951, and attended the University of Connecticut. His enlistment in the Army was delayed several months due to the great hurricane of 1955. He then traveled extensively through Europe, having saved up his Army leave time, and returned to Hartford to work in the family business, H.R. Poriss Paving. He formed Abacus Antiques in the early 1970’s, and became know in the area as an expert in oriental rugs and colonial American art and furniture. He loved skiing, painting, the history or art and a good joke. He is survived by his pride and joy, his daughters, Hilary Poriss of Boston, MA, and Sarah Poriss of West Hartford, and their spouses; his sister-in-law, Muriel Poriss; and several nieces and nephews, George Vinick, Carol Vinick, Karen (Poriss) Rosen, Andrea Poriss and Mark Poriss. He also leaves behind many special friends who made him laugh. The family would like to thank the truly professional and caring nurses and staff of St. Francis Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, with interment in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford 06117. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Oscar with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.