Arnold P. Von der Porten

Arnold P. Von der Porten was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 30, 1917. He was the son of a prominent doctor, Paul Maximillian and his wife Dora nee Rubner and spent his early childhood in a house of privilege. In October of 1933 as he was not a Nazi, Arnold had to leave high school half a year before graduation because of this. Arnold migrated to Jamaica, British West Indies. In Jamaica he had a very difficult life because of pervasive poverty and being a German in a British Territory. Arnold’s early adulthood included many different occupations. He became a very good refrigeration mechanic. He then traveled to New York to study glass blowing. Upon his return, he was called back by the Jamaica Public Service Co., to take over commercial refrigeration for that company. Arnold became Jr. Swimming Champion of Jamaica, in the 200m breaststroke, and was a goalkeeper for a water polo team. Arnold started the very first neon shop in the British West Indies, March 1, 1939, which is still in operation today. During the Second World War, Arnold was interned along with Nazi Prisoners of War on September 3, 1939, as he had a German passport. He was the "Guest of his Majesty King George VI" for one year and nine months. After he was released, Arnold became a Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, a member of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and a Director of the Electrical Contractors Association. Arnold was one of the ten best known oil painters of Jamaica. He became goalkeeper for the All Star Jamaican Water Polo Team. Arnold, married Amy M. Barry, January 4, 1947. She was 23 and he was 29. Their first child, Michael, died in 1952. Arnold and Amy migrated to the United States January 17, 1953. Arnold worked as a glassblower, industrial foreman, production manager, and a mechanical designer. He attended Rutgers University College, New Brunswick, NJ, and graduated with a BS in Business Administration, in 1965. Arnold retired from Johns-Manville as a machinery design-engineer for their factory in Manville, NJ, August, 1980. Arnold wrote two books about his life: “The Nine Lives of Arnold” and “50 Years in America”. He is featured in a YouTube documentary “Germans in Jamaica - War, Spies and Camps”. Arnold is survived by four children and their spouses Richard & Linda Von der Porten; Marguerite & Timothy Orf; Christopher & Janet Von der Porten; and Arlene & Mark Jacobs. Arnold and Amy had 11 grandchildren: Misty, Tiffany, Paul, Stephen, David, Virginia, Kevin, Matthew, Jeffrey, Mark, and Jessica. They also are survived by 8 great grandchildren: Jillian, Addison, Tyler, Catherine, Melanie, Elliot, Mulana, and Maxwell. Arnold and Amy Retired to Gainesville, Florida, October, 1994. Amy passed away Christmas Day, 2017. At 106 years old, Arnold passed away on February 7, 2024. A small Graveside service for close family and friends will be held on February 13, 2024.

Arnold P. Von der Porten

November 30, 1917 - February 7, 2024