Douglas Jay Portik
Loving husband and father, co-owned family bagel shop, Dunellen resident was faithful and dedicated to his hometown
Douglas Jay Portik, 47, of Dunellen, N.J., passed into eternal peace on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at RWJ Hospital in Somerville, N.J., with his loving family and close friends by his side.
Born in Plainfield, N.J., he was the son of Francis and Mary Ann (Sabol) Portik and brother of Jeffrey M. Portik.
Named 1989 All Central Defensive Football Athlete of the year, Douglas graduated from Dunellen High School as a football legend. He received a football scholarship to Muhlenburg College, where he became a proud member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and earned a bachelor's degree in finance. He moved on to work as a stock trader before becoming co-owner of the family business, Dunellen Bagel.
Doug loved spending time with family and friends down the shore. He was a regular at Rutgers Football games and a die-hard Jets fan. He loved history, fishing, Jimmy Buffet, playing the stock market, and cooking. Everyone loved to have Doug cook for them; except the person who had to clean the kitchen. He was a collector of books, cuff links and wine stoppers. He loved to reminisce about his football days and fraternity brothers. An animal lover, he adored the family pets - four legged friends Jazzabel Olive, Princess Yoshi Lola, Lovey, and cockatiel, Gracie Sunshine Rio. Above all, his son was his greatest pride and joy.
Douglas was predeceased by his father, Francis M. Portik.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Dina, who he called "Beauty Pie" and son, Tristan Francis, 13, who he referred to as "Snuggly Bear"; mother, Mary Ann; brother, Jeffrey and wife Meghan (Barno) Portik; sister-in-law, Kelly Capurso and husband Vito, sister-in-law, Gia Wenzel and husband Ricky; nephews, Marco, Carlo, Zachary, Jacob, Jackson, and niece Madeline; also left behind are numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Also surviving is loving dear friend, Jean Wilson.
Forever faithful and dedicated to his hometown, he was a Destroyer to the end. (And stir the sauce Rosie!)
Friends may visit the family on Tuesday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave. in Dunellen. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 4, at Our Lady of The Mount Church at 10:30 a.m. All other services will be private. Due to family allergies, the family requests that No Lilies be sent with the floral arrangements.