Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1947
DIED
2011
FUNERAL HOME
James Fortney Obituary
He was born July 31, 1947, in Burton.
Mr. Fortney served in the U.S. Army and spent two years in Korea. He was a family man to the ninth degree and was an avid off the road jeep four wheel drive enthusiast.
Mr. Fortney worked for AT&T as a telephone repairman for 42 years.
Survivors are his wife, Patricia Kay (nee Broocker); children, Daniel, Kristin and Megan (Ryan) Squires-Vodicka; "Grampie" of Will Squires; and brother, Bob Fortney.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lovell and Isabelle (DeGreen) Fortney.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Fellowship Bible Church, 16391 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023. (Please meet at church.)
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, OH 44072-9646 or Geauga County Dog Warden, 12513 Merritt Drive, Chardon, OH 44024.
Online tributes and video at www.gattozziandson.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Fortney
Cyndi Wiegand Walker
December 29, 2011
To the Fortney Family,
I remember Jim as a friend of my brother Ken Wiegand, who recently passed also. I heard about Jim when I was up in Ohio to see my brother for the very last time in May. I wanted to tell Ken, but he wasn't comprehensive at the time. I am sure they are now good buddies again up in Heaven. We are all saddened, but comforted by the peace that is now found.
Sincerely,
Cyndi Wiegand Walker
Wendy Chapic
May 27, 2011
Dear Patsy and family, Please know my thoughts have been with you since I heard of Jim's passing. I wish I was "home" so that I could have been able to express my sympathies to all of you in person, but alas that was not the case. I will keep you in prayer, and hope that you will find peace.
Larry Rose
May 22, 2011
To the Fortney family: I was shocked to hear of Jim's passing. We were in the same garage for years. He always had a smile and was the best at what he did and I learned many things from him on the job. But, job aside, I also learned that Jim was just a good man. You could see that in Dan by how he is, and I am sure the rest of the family, which I never had the pleasure of meeting. God be with you all. You have my sincerest condolences and are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brian Morris
May 20, 2011
Dear Fortney family, I only had the pleasure of working with Jim for a few short years. I clicked with him fast and knew who to call when I needed help. He was a friend and mentor. He is a great loss to our company and an even greater loss to his family.
May 17, 2011
Dear Aunt Pat and Family,
We are so sorry we could not make it to the services. We are very sadden by the loss of Jim. He was such a kind and loving family man. I always remember the wonderful "Bear Hugs" from Jim and how your family always put a smile on my face.
Our hearts go out to you and the family and know that we love you all so very much.
Ricky, Tammy, Ashley, Brittany and Courtney
LINDA NOE
May 16, 2011
DEAREST PAT AND FAMILY, I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT JIMMY. WE HAVE ALOT OF MEMORIES THAT GO BACK MANY YEARS. MY LOVE AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS VERY SAD TIME. LINDA CAPUTO-NOE , PETE AND MIKE
Bill Carrell
May 16, 2011
My prayers for family and friends. May you find peace knowing he is with God. Remember his smiles and kind words always.
Rest in peace Sir.
Tom Witucky
May 16, 2011
My sympathies to the family of Jim, I enjoyed him as a teammate and as an opponent in both softball and bowling.
Sorry to hear of his passing.
May 14, 2011
Dear Family,
We are saddened by your loss. His memory lives on for all.
Pandora and Claude
Matthew Sturgess
May 14, 2011
I don't know where to start. I have too many memories to count with Jim. Spent many times wheeling just him, pat and my father, along with many wonderful campfire conversations. This was constant all the way through my childhood, shaping me to the person I am today.
Im sorry I cant make it today. The distance is simply to vast. However you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
The trail will never be the same without you. You will be missed by us all. Rest in peace Jim.
The Bob Dietzel Family
May 14, 2011
Jim was a very special person in so many ways. He will be missed by many, and never forgotten.
jim/Nancy Obrock
May 13, 2011
Sorry to read of Jim's passing. He was always a good guy and a fine softball player in the Ohio Bell League
May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011
Please know that you are in my prayers.
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your
family.
Debbie Ellis
May 13, 2011
Dear Pat & Family,
Please know you are in my thoughts & prayers.
My heart goes out to you all....
Love, your cousin Robin
Clearwater, Florida
James Fortney
May 13, 2011
Our loss gods gain.You will be missed Jim. Pat you and your family are in my prayers . Pat you have always been my favorite relative and you and your families loss is felt down here in Florida Kevin Glover Jacksonville Fla
Jim and Francine Kane
May 12, 2011
Daniel and family,
I knew your father as a good man. He was a mentor and friend. Francine and I shed a tear and a prayer with you today.
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat and family,
Ron and I were very sorry to hear of Jim's passing,please know you are in our prayers.
Always remember the good times, they will help you and your children through the bad times.
May God Bless all of you.
Ron & Becky Quercioli
Jeremy Hartman
May 12, 2011
To the Fortney family, thoughts and prayers are with you right now during this time. Mr. Fortney will be missed, but the type of person he was will always live on in my heart.
Michael Mitchell
May 12, 2011
To the Fortney Family,
Jim was a role model, mentor, and a very special man. Whenever, I had "the duty" on Sundays we would meet for his "15" minute break. Devout family man, he was so happy when Daniel joined the Bell-Ameritech-SBC-AT&T Family. Our relationship was sooooo cool, he named one of his vehicles after me. Jim, I will miss you and your family will always be in my prayers.
May 12, 2011
Very sad to hear aboutJim's passing. We always loved his laughter and smiles at the 3rd of July campfires. Dave and Joan Jackson
Bob Hunt
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat & Family,
I will be out of town and would like to express my deepest sympathy on your loss. Jim and I never worked in the same crew, but our paths crossed often during our extended time with the phone company. It was always a pleasure work with him, and later as a dispatch manager know he was there when I needed a repairman to handle a difficult case of trouble. He was a family man, friend, dedicated technician, and a true craftsman.
Dirk & Gail Smithisler
May 12, 2011
Dearest Pat,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
May 12, 2011
To the Fortney family, My feeling's of great loss and my deepest sympathies go out to all who will miss Jim, i was sincerely thankful to have had the opportunity to spend time with him in california, i will look to the stars at night & remember a truly great friend [George Reams ATT west Salinas, Ca.]
Jackie and Mark Rychel
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat, Kristen, Megan and Daniel,
I am praying continally that the burden of grief and sadness is lessened for all of you.
We remember Jim with the utmost respect. He was always "on call". When a friend or neighbor called he showed up immediately.
We are grateful for all the hours he shared with Amanda on so many jeeping trips. He was a very possitive influence in her life.
We will miss him and look forward to the time we will all be reunited in the Kingdom of God.
Now there's a happy guy.
Mark Langworthy
May 12, 2011
Jim was on my list of favorite people in this world and I will hold the times we spent together close to my heart. I considered him a life long friend from the moment I met him some 12 years ago and he will be terribly missed. Hold on to the good times and try to find strength in those memories.
May 12, 2011
Dearest Pat and family,
My deepest sympathy to you and the children on this tragic news. My brother John called me yesterday, and couldn't get the words out; he was crying so. May God be near in this trying time. We know Jim is in Heaven, enjoying God's Glory.
Marge Karsnak Fosberg, Atlanta, GA
Joseph Kaschalk
May 12, 2011
Mrs. Fortney: Jim was a good Telephoneman. You have my sympathies for your loss.
Joe and Sue Schutt
May 12, 2011
One of the "best" that will be missed by everyone. Our deepest sympathy to Pat and the family. May God bless you, and keep you in comfort and love.
Chris Caffrey
May 12, 2011
To the Fortney Family,
My deepest sympathies to all of you. Jim was truly one of a kind. I was fortunate enough to work with Jim both in Palm Beach and California. He was the nicest, kindest , hardest working man I ever got to work with.
A funny story, In California, we weren't here but maybe a day or two and Jim accidentally set a cable on fire(caused by a birds nest). He was so upset, not because he thought he might be sent back to Ohio, but because he thought it reflected on his work. We all knew better and Jim was one of the few that I would have trusted my life with, let alone some old crappy cable. Consequently, Jim earned the name "Fireball Fortney", The other managers thought it was pretty funny as everytime someone would mention the crew from Ohio, someone would start to sing "Fire" by the Ohio Players!
FIreball Fortney, you will be missed and our hearts are broken. I am sure God has much better cable in heaven, and now he has you to take care of it.
Chris Caffrey
Sallie Fine
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat, Daniel, Megan and Kristen,
Our hearts our heavy with your loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Much love,
The Simpson Family
May 12, 2011
It has been a true pleasure to have known Jim and his family. The Fortneys are the most giving and honest family I have ever met. We all would like to bear some of your pain, please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Janet and Greg Warner
May 12, 2011
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jim was a wonderful person.
Renee' McDonnell
May 12, 2011
Dear Pat ,Daniel ,Megan and Kristin,
Jim was the best neighbor and friend anyone could ever ask for. I'll miss him calling through the yard to me..."How many more days of school?", with a grin on his face. May God
comfort you and keep you in His arms during this sad time. Love, Renee'
Ron Lee
May 12, 2011
Danny, My deepest condolences to you and your famly. Your Dad was a good friend of mine for many years and will be truly missed: not only by me, but by everyone that had the pleasure to have known him.
May 12, 2011
Jim , you were a mentor, and a dear friend. You will be greatly missed. Gregg Pahls
Marianne Brunelle
May 12, 2011
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Jim will definitely be missed. He was a wonderful person.
David and Marianne Brunelle, Atwater, OH
Jack and Rose Hanslik
May 12, 2011
Pat, You and your family are in our thoughts and our prayers..God Bless you and the kids. Jack and Rose Hanslik
Barbara Fox
May 11, 2011
We send our very deepest sympathy and will continue to hold the entire family in our prayers.
Mrs. Drew and Mr. Rey
That was some good Ice cream.
Russ and Cheryl Sturgess
May 11, 2011
We always enjoyed the times spent with Jim and your family. There was always a lot of laughter and fun. Please keep these happy memories close to your heart. We will deeply miss Jim. He was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Tim Doll
May 11, 2011
Dear Pat & Family, I new "of" Jim for a very long time. I only had the priviledge of working with him for a short time in the late '90's. He was a rare breed of craftsmen that took pride in all of his work. I remember my last- and probably longest- conversation with him in front of Turneys. We spoke of his family, his family and his family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
George and Linda McGuire
May 11, 2011
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We send our deepest sympathy.
Diane Baczkowski
May 11, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Stu Seashols
May 11, 2011
Dear Pat and family,
I think I kept up with Jim just about my whole 30 years with Ma Bell and after I moved away, it was always great to keep up with him. He made sure he bragged up on his family and was very proud of your son's service.
Remember the good and happy times as they are a comfort. Jim was good man who will be missed by many.
God Bless him and you.
Showing 1 - 43 of 43 results
Make a Donation
in James Fortney's name
Memorial Events
for James Fortney
Funeral services provided by:
Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, OH 44026
How to support James's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor James Fortney's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
