Obituary
view guestbook | sign guestbook

Fred L. Fortier Jr.

Date of Death: August 5, 2024

Date of Birth: April 27, 1925

Biography:

Fred L. Fortier, Jr.

South Paris—In the early hours of Monday, 05 August, Fred L. Fortier Jr., 99 years young, made his final flight into eternity, at the controls of course.

Born 27 April, 1925, in Lewiston, Me., the son of Velma and Fred L. Fortier. Fred grew up on the family farm in Otisfield, Me, one of six children. Fred attended school in Otisfield, entering High School at Oxford High. His senior year he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.

While participating in Amphibious Warfare School in Florida, prior to shipping out to the Philippines, Fred met Ruth Lee Poppell at Bennett’s drug store lunch counter in Tallahassee Fl. They were married on May 13, 1945. After the war they made their home in Maine. Fred was recalled to active duty and was sent to serve in the Korean War where he was injured by a land mine in Korea, ending his time in the Army.

Upon returning home to Maine, Fred and Ruth made their home in So. Paris, working and raising their family.

Over the years, Fred had a few occupations. He was a Machinist for 40 years, repairing shoe machines in various shoe factories up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Some years later he became a police officer, achieving the position of Chief of Police in So. Paris. Fred finished his work years out as the custodian for the Maine National Guard serving in both the Rumford and Norway Armories.

Fred enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and gardening. He became a licensed private pilot, flying a variety of small planes. He was a life-long Granger with membership in several Granges, working through “the chairs” reaching the office of Master.

Ruth passed away in 1987. Six years later Fred met and married Dorothy Petersen. They resided in Gray, Me, and Palm Bay, Florida. After 25 years of marriage, Dorothy passed away and Fred moved to Market Square Healthcare Center in South Paris in 2021, where he resided until his passing.

Fred leaves behind daughter Jean (Dennis) Kilgore of Palm Bay Florida, son Fred L. Fortier III (Joanne) of Waterford. He also leaves behind grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Louise Spencer, Kay Spencer, Eleanor Pulkkinen, brothers Lawrence and Lindley Fortier, his son Timothy Fortier, and step-son Sanford Farmer.

Fred also leaves behind his family of the last few years- the staff and residents of Market Square Healthcare Center. He loved them very much, who knew he could always be found on “top shelf.”

A graveside service will take place on October 6th at 2 p.m. at the Elmwood Cemetery on Rayville Road in Otisfield.