Longtime Touché bartender Alan H Portnoff passed away on Friday, March 10th after a prolonged battle following heart surgery. He was 66.
Alan was born in Chicago on Nov. 21, 1950, to Hyman and Mollie (Stewart) Portnoff. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Alan went to New York to pursue his dream of acting, but soon returned to Chicago and the security of regular pay. Alan went on to work as a computer programmer before turning to bartending.
Coming out in 1993, Alan quickly made friends through the Lincoln Park Lagooners (LPL), and became a regular bowler and camper during the LPL rafting trips to Wisconsin. A lover of dogs, Alan’s “partner” at home and in the outdoors was his faithful Duke. Alan enjoyed movies, musicals and street festivals during his free time and was looking forward to retirement in a cabin by a lake with his buddy Duke. As a stable hand behind the bar at Touché for more than 20 years, Alan served thousands of regulars, many who count him as friend. His wit and humor over a drink will be sorely missed.
Alan is survived by his mother, Mollie; siblings Meredith and Larry; with wife Rosalie, his devoted daughter Anna; nieces Nancy and Monica; and his co-workers and many friends at the bar.
A celebration of Alan’s Life will be held at Touche, 6412 N. Clark St., on Sunday, March 26, beginning at 2 p.m. All of his family and friends are welcome to share their joys and stories of time with Alan. In lieu of flowers, donations to any no-kill animal shelter are encouraged.