Yves FORTIER

FORTIER, Yves Oscar
1914 – 2014
Dr. Yves Oscar Fortier, O.C., FRSC, BA (Laval), B.SC. Queen's, M.Sc. McGill, Ph.D., Stanford, died Aug 19, 2014 at the age of 100. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Gertrude (Trudy) Biermann and his four children, Georges, Marc, Mimi and Claire, his daughter-in-law, Wendy (nee Jackson), and sons-in-law Dan O'Rourke and Don Manley, his three grandchildren Ted, Mike (Misty) and Cathy (James) Escander and four great-grandchildren Isabella, Jackson, Hudson and Reese. Dr. Fortier was born August 17, 1914 in Quebec City. In 1943 he joined the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) where he became progressively more involved in the geology of the Canadian North. In the 1950s Dr. Fortier's determination to map the Canadian Arctic archipelago as a whole grew. This determination culminated in his leadership of 'Operation Franklin' in 1955, a 28-person expedition with scientists from many disciplines. In the summer of 1955 they mapped and studied almost 260,000 km2 of Arctic islands. Data from these surveys showed a thick layer of sedimentary rocks and structures similar to those found in oil fields. This expedition was particularly important because it involved so many disciplines of science, and it was the first to make good use of helicopters in northern research. At the time, it was not permitted to publicize the Canadian Arctic as a potential hydrocarbon field but, regardless, Yves sent a photo- essay to 'LIFE' magazine, justifying the gesture as promotion of Canadian sovereignty in the high Arctic. In 1964 he became Director of the GSC, a position which he held until 1973. He retired in 1976 as Assistant Deputy Minister of Energy Mines and Resources Canada. Yves had a zest for life and was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends, particularly at the cottage he built and of which he was so proud. He undertook every new project with vigour, such as the extensive preparations and studies he made prior to sailing with Trudy to and around the Caribbean after retirement. Dr. Fortier was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1953 and received the Massey Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 1964. In 1974 he was awarded the Geological Association of Canada's (GAC) Logan Medal, "for sustained distinguished achievement in Canadian earth science". In 1974 the International Mineral Association approved the nomination of 'yofortierite' to its list of recognized minerals. In 1980, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. In retirement he established "The Yves O. Fortier Earth Science Journalism Award", administered by the GAC, of which he was a founding member. Family and friends may pay their respects at
Kelly Funeral Home, Somerset Chapel
585 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON, K1R 5K1
613-235-6712
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, August 28, 2014 in Our Lady of Fatima Church (Byron at Woodroffe) at 10:30 a.m. In Memoriam Donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society of Canada or the Alzheimer Society.