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Gerard Fortin Obituary
Gerard was born in Winslow, July 31, 1922, son of Alphonse Peter Fortin and Julia Duquette Fortin.
He was a lifetime resident of Winslow and was educated in Winslow schools, but due to the depression he opted to go to work after the ninth grade to help support his large family.
Gerard proudly served his country in the Army in the Pacific Campaign during World War II. He served with Company C 565th Signal Air Warning Battalion in the Philippines and New Guinea until 1946.
After the war, he returned home to go into business with his father and brothers. He was a lifelong cattle dealer and butcher. He and his late wife owned Fortin's Meats in Winslow until it closed in 1999.
He met the love of his life, Mary Vivian Oakes, whom he married June 4, 1948. Together they raised seven children.
Gerard was a very compassionate and generous man. He was a very devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather. They don't make many men like him anymore. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Vivian; brothers Leo, Wilbert "Bert," Alphonse and Donald; sister Yvette; and by a granddaughter, Melina Paradis. He is survived by his children, Wilfred Fortin of Sidney, Norma Fortin of Hampden, Mary Wilkinson of San Antonio, Texas, Irene Fortin of Quincy, Mass., Susan and John Dwyer of Pembroke, Mass., Frances and Erik Rasmussen of Great Falls, Va., John and Deborah Fortin of Vassalboro; 12 grandchildren, Lisa, Sarah, Kathryn, Monica, Miranda, John, Jay, Kyle, Alex, Joseph, Jarrett and Joel; 10 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Sister Norma, Robert, Lucien and George.
Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville. A celebration of his life will follow at Notre Dame Hall, 112 Silver St., Waterville. A donation in memory of Gerard may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018; or to the American Diabetes Assoc., P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gerard Fortin
John Fortin
June 4, 2011
Good morning to everyone one in attendance my name is John, Gerard's youngest son. And I want to thank- you all for coming to celebrate the life of Gerard Fortin. I have written this eulogy for my father and for everyone who truly knew my father. in hopes to try and describe him the best I can. In what short time I have.
How to begin to describe my father.
Dad! Hmm! I would say that my father was an icon of his time. Could you just imagine yourself in his place. Born in the roaring 20's, growing up through the great depression. Knowing what being poor,poor,poor really and I mean really meant. Growing up in a huge family compared to today’s standards. Going off to fight a war in some far off land, Coming home to this great country that he loved so much at a time when was the atmosphere and the morale of the country was at such a high, you couldn't even begin to imagine.
It was a time of celebration!
Happy Days are Here Again! , that was the motto. The excitement! Wow! I bought a car. We have and electric toaster! Radio, television, all the gadgets known to man at the time. You know there was a time when these things did not exist. And he lived through this. And never forgetting where he came from.
I' ll always remember the stories my father would tell me of how beautiful Manilla must have been before the war. And how he loved the people there, and you could tell that he truly felt bad for these people. For as bad as he had it in life, these people had it worse. And at the same time although he was mad at the Japanese people, He knew that not all of them were bad. They were all young men doing what they thought was right for their country. And he respected them for that.
I remember him telling me stories of German prisoners in prison war camps in Aroostook county. And how they were getting fat off eating potatoes, and how they didn't want to go back to Germany because there was nothing left. He felt their plight. As he always felt the plight of people of any walk of life. Just recently sitting with him in the hospital room he spoke of how he felt bad for the people of the mid-west hit by the tornadoes. Wow! he would say, how lucky we are up here.
He always had a saying, where god takes the flowers and leaves the weeds. And my mother would say, "you don't mean that." And he didn't. When he met my mother, I think they truly fell in love at first sight. They were married for 58 years. Now that's something!
This was at a time when fashion was to the common man, you didn't have to be rich to go out and look good, everybody looked good. The days of the big bands, trench coats, night clubs. They all came home heroes, every young girl wanted to have her arm around a G.I. After reading my mother's wedding book, she wrote the story of how I met the most wonderful man. I could tell that she was truly in love. She wrote that on the wedding day it was a perfect day in June and the sun was at its best in the sky. Together they raised seven children, built a successful business, put the girls through college and lived the American dream. Never asking for anything and always giving so much of themselves. How Ironic that on their 63rd anniversary, their wedding book will lay to rest with them together forever. Now and Forever. Dad! You couldn't have timed it any better!
Reading was one of dad's great passions. Although he only finished school till the ninth grade and never could speak English when he started school, never traveled the world like people do today. He did so threw his national geographic's. One of his greatest dream was go to New Zealand. He got there threw reading. The knowledge he acquired from reading these books time and time again, loving nature as much as he did. It's too bad he didn't have more time to spend with his wife like people have today. But he was too hard at work making sure that everyone else had the best.
Dad was truly a family man, He was a loving son, brother, uncle, Husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and neighbor. In the years following my mom's death I could see him growing weary of the slow time passing where he could be with her again. He missed her terribly, Hopefully they are together now in loving embrace.
I truly believe that everybody that knew my father deeply respected him for his honesty and how he treated people equally. I never knew anybody that could stay mad at my dad very long. Because they knew that he was right. A lot of wisdom in that man. Him leaving us is truly and end of a generation for our family. And his legacy will live on. I know that in a long time to come I will hear people say, "yeah I remember your dad, I used to see him walking out in the pasture." I imagine even my kids and maybe my grand kids will hear people say, "I remember your Pepere, we miss seeing him walking out in the pasture." and I'm sure we will all miss seeing him walking in the pasture. I hope they have greener pastures and lots cows in heaven. Again I want to thank you all for coming. There will be a celebration of his life immediately following today’s services at the Sacred Heart catholic church on Pleasant St. in Waterville.
Richard Fortin
June 4, 2011
It is always difficult to lose those who have been here for your entire life and equally difficult to express your feelings on that loss. Suffice it to say that my Uncle Gerard and Aunt Vivian were two of the best people anyone could know. Wonderful parents who kept the family close up until the very end. It's comforting that they were both active until the ends of their lives and that both were able to depart this life with family at their side.
I suppose this should be a tribute to Uncle Gerard alone, but they were both such a team throughout their marriage and how appropriate that his life will be celebrated on their 63rd wedding anniversary. I will miss them both and they will remain in my thoughts and heart throughout the rest of my life. Until we meet again . .
Dickie
June 4, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. The Bretons
June 3, 2011
John,Debbie & Family, Sorry for the loss of your Dad. You are in our thoughts. Moe & Bonnie Labbe
Jane Govostes (Paradis)
June 3, 2011
Irene and family, may your father rest in eternal peace, and may the life dedicated to his family and his community live in the hearts and memories of you all.
June 3, 2011
Mary I offer my condolences to you and your family. I will keep you all in my prayers. Know someone is thinking and praying for all of you. Your friend Christina
Leo Caron
June 2, 2011
To Gerard Family,
It was a pleasure to have a new family move into the neighborhood in the early 60's. Gerard and Vivian bought a large house with a barn and plenty of land to accommodate their family and their lives. I was so lucky to have a warm family like the Fortin's living in the neighborhood. May Gerard's spirit live long in his family.
Sincerely,
June 2, 2011
Irene and all of the Fortin family:
So sorry about the loss of your father. Gerard was a wonderful man! We will miss him. God Bless!
Robin Jordan and family
Cyndy Lessard
June 2, 2011
Susan, so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. May you find comfort in happy memories. I remember him as a very hard working man...
Cyndy Lessard
Tim and Gloria Thurlow
June 2, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ann Boucher
June 2, 2011
John & The Fortin Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. May God Bless all of you and help you through this sorrowful time.
Lisa Reed
June 2, 2011
Pepe,
I loved all of the times we have shared together. The memories will be close to my heart. One of the many memories is riding with you, in your cattle truck, going to go get cows. Thank You for being such a wonderful Grandfather and Great-Grandfather to my boys, Travis and Tyler. They will miss you very much also. We all will miss you very much.
Love your Granddaughter,
Lisa
June 2, 2011
Dear Family, We are so sorry for your loss. We had a wonderful visit with Gerard and his brothers last summer. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jeannette (Duquette) and Clarence Huslig, Arlington, Texas
Leo and Tammy Sylvain
June 2, 2011
To the Fortin Family, our condolences and deepest sympathy to you in this most grievous time. No words can ease your pain of loss, but take comfort in knowing that your family and friends are there for you in this most sorrowful time.
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