While his life of service has earned him numerous accolades, Monday night Gilbert Portela received the penultimate state honor for his work — The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Portela received the state’s highest civilian honor during the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance’s inaugural toast event, an alternative to its more ribald roasts.

“Thanks to each and everyone of you,” he said, following the toasts, telling attendees about the transformation in his life that began when he was manager of Telecable in the 1990s.

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Haskins shares an anectdote.

Changes in the company brought with it standing up to do the right things or making unethical and immoral choices, he said. “It put me in the hospital.”

A talk with his son gave him perspective. Because of the stress, he said his son told him, “There’s only going to be one grandson that would remember me. The other three would never get a chance to know me. He said I had to learn to leave it at the foot of the cross.”

When he did, things fell into the place, he took a $15,000 a year pay cut to work within the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District but he said, “I was at peace.”

His tenure with the school system was the driving force behind what is now Angel’s Closet as he saw countless students living in dire conditions — children sleeping on plywood, using towels to keep warm and houses with no stove, no refrigerator or food in the pantries.

Hardy recounts Portela's work in the school system.

Since founding Angel’s Closet in December of 2005, the charitable organization has grown to where it can now give scholarships and provide funds for school field trips.

Al Haskins, a longtime friend, said, “This man has a heart of gold.”

Bill Shearin’s relationship with Portela began through baseball, when Portela was running a sporting goods store in the 1970s and through coaching. “He was a fundamentals man. He didn’t care if you made an error. He wanted you to learn the right way to play. He never raised his voice.”

Said Shearin: “I can stand here and tell you what Gilbert Portela has meant to my family.”

Scarbrough and Portela embrace.

Bob Hayes, a friend of more than 40 years, called Portela, “A very passionate person. He is ruled by intense emotions. He’s always been passionate.”

That passion transcended his love for sports to his ministry, Hayes said. “He always has time to speak to every client. He spends many hours at Angel’s Closet and many hours at home answering calls. He’s truly passionate about what he does.”

Donna Hardy recounted several stories about Portela’s charitable nature, including helping a child get surgery to have her leg lengthened. “He wouldn’t let obstacles get in his way to serve children.”

Portela with the Long Leaf Pine award.

Hardy praised the work of Angel’s Closet. “Angel’s Closet is a true ministry. It’s doing the Lord’s work in our community.”

Carolyn Holmes, who presented Portela’s wife Lydia a bouquet and plant, said, “He epitomizes living your faith. He’s a humble man. Humbleness is one of the characteristics of a faith-filled man.”

The city presented Portela a proclamation. Read by Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough, the document recognized his work with Angel’s Closet, the school district and him receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Said Phil Hux: “From the day I met him, he’s had an influence on my life. It’s a honor for me to know him.”