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John Fortier Obituary
of Groton; 58
GROTON -- John M. Fortier of Groton, age 58, died on June 21st, 2016 at home with his family. John fought hard for nine months against cancer.
John, the son of Paul and Jean Fortier, was born in Berlin, NH and grew up in Sunapee, NH. He graduated from Sunapee High School in 1975 and from UNH in 1979. While at UNH, he met Barb Zemlin and they began the world's longest courtship…
After college graduation, John worked in Sunapee for a few years and then traveled with Barb throughout Europe before they settled down together in Acton and then Groton. John and Barb finally got married in 1994 and had three great children: Mike, Bridget, and Johnny.
John worked for many years at Epsilon in Burlington and at NEBS/Deluxe in Groton. John loved running, biking, skiing, reading, working around the house, and mowing the lawn. But mostly, he enjoyed his family life with Barb and the kids. His unique humor brought smiles to everyone who knew him.
He leaves his wife and children, his three sisters: Sandra Fortier of Sunapee, Christine Fortier of Dillon, CO, Carrie Humphrey of Sunapee, brother Timothy Fortier of Sarasota, FL, and Carrie's husband Chris who was like a brother to him. Numerous in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and neighbors and friends all loved him too.
FORTIER -- of Groton June 21, 2016, John M. Fortier. Friends and relatives and will be received by the family Friday 5-8 PM at the Union Congregational, 218 Main St., Groton, MA. A Celebration of John's life will be held Saturday at 2 PM at the Church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Groton Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 395, Groton, MA. 01450. Arrangements by Badger Funeral Home, Groton, MA please see www.badgerfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Fortier
Sponsored by lowellsun.com.
Hugh Malone
June 16, 2021
“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.” Miss you John.
Roy Berger
December 14, 2016
Barb and Family,
I just received the UNH alumni magazine and heard of John's passing. So very, very sorry to hear this news. John was a good college friend. You have my deepest condolences.
Roy Berger UNH '80
Denise Gendreau
July 22, 2016
I'm m very sorry for the loss of your family member.
Steve Onishi
July 1, 2016
I did not know John well but I remember his contagious enthusiasm and optimism the few seasons that my eldest daughter had him as a coach for Groton rec soccer. The girls enjoyed playing on his teams because he always had something constructive to add no matter how lopsided the score ended up. John cast a very bright light.
Donna Savary
June 25, 2016
I worked with John at Nebs/Deluxe through early 2008. He was such a fun, caring guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Linda Schiavo
June 24, 2016
I'm shocked and saddened by the news. John was such a great guy and helped me a lot at Epsilon.
Robin Beard-Fogg
June 24, 2016
Praying for family I knew John in Sunapee. Now he is in heaven and in no pain!
Jeanne Rothfield
June 24, 2016
Fort was such a sweetheart, and goofball. He made work (at Epsilon) fun. I'm so sorry for your loss, Barb. I remember how broken up John was when your father passed; I hope they are doing something fun together.
Warm Regards, Jeanne Kerins (Rothfield)
Vivian Jache
June 24, 2016
My condolences to John's family on their loss. I've known John since 3rd grade in Sunapee, and have such great memories of "shooting hoop" with him thruout high school. He is missed.
Patti Gardella
June 24, 2016
John was one of the first people I met at Epsilon when I started there in 1986. He was not only a fountain of incredibly useful information - he was always helpful, always goofy, and he was my friend. We've all lost with this one, he's the kind of guy that stays with you as lives expand, inevitably diverge and time thoughtlessly marches on.
Just seeing your picture here, my friend, makes me smile hearing your laugh in my head. Save up all the useful bits and silly jokes for when I catch up. I'll look forward to finding you.
Barb, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Chris DeLuca
June 23, 2016
Since 1985, I have had the honor and pleasure to call John Fortier my friend. From our early days at Epsilon to our continued friendship in Groton where we both raised our respective families, I could rely on John for great conversations - conversations which were always filled with humor and ended in laughter. John was the most sincere, kind, and generous person I have known who possessed a warm, inviting heart, a keen sense of humor, and an enduring love and devotion to his wife and children. John exemplified the true measure of a man - he simply wanted his children to be the best he had meant them to be, and in that regard, few if any can measure up to John's success. Heaven shines brighter - I will miss my friend. My deepest and sincere condolences to Barb, Mike, Bridget, Johnny, and the entire Fortier family.
Lorraine Leger
June 23, 2016
John was a pleasure to work with, and will be missed. Deepest Sympathy.
Jila Asgary
June 23, 2016
John will be missed so very much!!! He was such a positive, funny, and knowledgeable person!!! He always loved to tell personal/work related stories which was great to hear. My deepest sympathy to whole family!!!
Jila Asgary
June 23, 2016
John will be missed so so much!!! He was such a positive, funny, & knowledgeable person! He always loved to tell stories about his personal/work life. There was no way to go him and not comeback with a good feeling! My deepest sympathy to his wife, kids, and whole family!
David John
June 23, 2016
My deepest sympathies to Barb and the kids, my prayers go out to you. As a coworker of John's with the Deluxe/Nebs acquisition, I only met him in person a handful of times, but we have spent hours on the phone over the years and he always wanted to know how you were doing, before getting down the business at hand. He had a wonderful personality and you could always "hear" his smile through the phone. John will be missed.
Hugh Malone
June 23, 2016
One of the nicest, sincerest, and most genuine human beings I've had the pleasure to know. I will miss John's sense of humor and good nature and will always remember him as a wonderful guy. Our sincerest condolences to Barb and the entire Fortier family.
TIMOTHY M. TIERNEY
June 23, 2016
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD DIMMED, WHEN JOHN WAS TAKEN FROM OUR MIDST. YOU ARE ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Kelly Seeley
June 23, 2016
I've worked with John for many years at Deluxe. He was always able to make me laugh. We had many crazy conversations and discussions about the kids. John always had a joke and boy did he love to tell them. One thing is clear above all others - John's family meant everything to him. He love for his kids was awesome - his face would light up when talking about them. I considered John not only a co-worker but a treasured friend. I can't tell you how much he will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Gale Risdon
June 23, 2016
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Carol Twyon
June 22, 2016
I was so very sorry to learn of John's untimely passing yesterday. He was my son Chris Humphrey's brother-in-law and they were very close and got along wonderfully.
My son Mark Humphrey and I express our sincere condolences to Barb and the children for their loss, and pray for all the family and friends.
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