Emil Pony Pornelos, 62, of Burlington, VT peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 5, 2021. He is looking forward to playing golf with his brother, Brian, and father, Pony, both of whom are waiting to greet him in heaven. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Emil Pornelos Jr. and Bertha (Perrotte) Pornelos. Pony was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1977 where he won the state championship in golf, a game he continued to love throughout his life. He also participated in football, wrestling, and track & field. Pony went on to graduate from Champlain College and attend Elim Bible Institute. Reflecting on his early years, he recalled his exceptional trip as a Youth Group Leader with Maranatha Church, taking local youth to Haiti during the overthrow of Papa Doc. Later, he joined a friend on a trip to Guatemala to build a school and, with a smile on his face, said his personal claim to fame there was building a six-seater out-house. Shortly after his marriage to Eileen Pornelos in 1986 they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and had two children, Emil and Jonathan. Prior to the arrival of his sons, he reveled in providing all the visitors his dad sent him from the mainland with a circle island tour and a taste of the aloha spirit. After island hopping and reconnecting with his heritage and extended Ohana for 5 years, the family moved back to the mainland with a third child on the way (Samantha) and settled in White River Junction, Vermont. There, Pony enjoyed coaching his boys in the Hartford Minicanes football program, watching his daughters ice hockey games and going to his childrens track & field meets. He was employed by FedEx for 10 years and moved on to 20 years with TCAR. During this time, he continued to share favorite outdoor activities and adventures with his children. Summer times were filled with many trips to Six Flags, Park Safari, camping and outdoor activities at Killington. He also shared with his children his passion for golf, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and traveling. When relaxing, he enjoyed games, movies, trivia and a love of old cars. A special memory includes his two-week cross -country trip with his children. We will miss his sense of humor, his fun-loving nature, his big bear hugs, his generous spirit and his infectious Santa Clause chuckle. Pony is preceded in death by his father, Pony (Emil Pornelos, Jr.) and his brother, Brian Pornelos. He is survived by his mother, Bertha (Perrotte) Pornelos of Colchester, VT, his sister Lori Pornelos-King (and her husband, Kevin King) of St. Albans VT, his three children, Emil Pornelos IV (and his wife, Jessica Pornelos) of Smithfield, RI, Jonathan Pornelos of Mason, OH, and Samantha Pornelos Rich (and her husband Benjamin Rich) of E. Thetford, VT, his former wife, Eileen Pornelos of Newmarket NH, his Uncle Eric and Aunt Juanita McIntyre of Carson City, NV and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Ponys family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff and friends at UVM Dialysis Unit, South Burlington for their many years of support and kindnesses. A formal service will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Ignite Church, located on 1037 So. Brownell Rd., Williston, VT. A celebration of life ceremony will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ponys memory to the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester VT and the VT Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired.