Robert Fortin M.D.

Robert “Bob” Fortin, M.D., 89 years old, of Rumford, RI and West Palm Beach, FL, died March 14 after a brief illness.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Virginia (Bessette) Fortin, and their 8 children and spouses: Diane Jessop, Marc Fortin (Gretchen), Kevin Fortin (Lynda), Andrea Fortin (Walter Barrett, Fiance), Roberta Donaldson (Jonathan), Melanie Paradis (Richard), Robert Fortin Jr. (Jane), Alison Bianco (William), and 13 grandchildren: Danielle Sinder (Gregory), Nicholas Jessop, Jonathan Donaldson, Jr., Courtney Cox (Michael), Luke Donaldson, Stephanie Long, Robert Fortin III, Joseph Fortin, Gabrielle Bianco, Kathryn Fortin, Phillip Bianco, Caroline Fortin, and Cullen Ramos-Fortin.

Dr. Bob attended high school at St. Raphael Academy, started Providence College, was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, returned and graduated from P.C., then attended medical school at Universite Laval, Quebec, Ca, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1955, and returned to RI.

He was the physician for the Pawtucket School Department from 1958-1995, and Head of Staff from 1990-1995.  In private practice as a Family Practitioner from 1955-1995, he was often a surgical assistant for his patients and delivered children from 1955-1965.  He was certified by the Board of Family Practice in 1967 and was a past member of Pawtucket Medical Society (past President), American Medical Association, and American Academy of Family Practice.  From 1996-2002 he worked as a physician for the insurance industry.  He was a longtime company doctor for Moore Fabrics and he also co-founded the Notre Dame Ambulatory Care Center in 1969, later transferred to Notre Dame Hospital. 

Dr. Bob was renowned for his uplifiting spirit, sense of humor, compassion, and kindness.  He was a proponent of physical fitness and was a past member of the Paddywack Road Racing Club.  He ran several marathons and numerous road races, played squash and golf with passion and, with Virginia, was a longtime member of the Pawtucket and Bear Lakes Country Clubs.  He continued his workouts up until a few days before he died.

Family was the first priority with Dr. Bob and he proudly presided annually over the Charlestown Beach summer gathering of the clan.  He was a man of abiding Christian Faith and a communicant of St. Margaret’s Parish in Rumford, RI and St. John Fisher Parish in West Palm Beach, FL. 

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am in Saint Margaret’s Church, 1098 Pawtucket Avenue, Rumford.  Burial in the RI Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Visiting hours Friday, April 7 from 4-7pm in the Costigan-O’Neill funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RI Community Food Bank (www.rifoodbank.org), or the charity of your choice. 

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