Richard Paul Fortnam

Richard Paul Fortnam

Deerfield, NY/Debary, FL.

Richard Paul Fortnam passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. Born March 24, 1930 to Walter Fred and Elsie M. Fortnam, Richard is survived by one brother Robert Fortnam (Diane) and predeceased by one brother Walter Fortnam and two nephews, David and Alan Fortnam.

After graduating from Whitesboro, NY Schools, Richard was proud to serve his country from 1948-1952 in the United States Army. He was then employed by the United States Air Force for over 30 years at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY maintaining military aircraft until his retirement. His career continued as a real estate agent.

He served as Councilman for the Town of Deerfield in upstate NY for 8 years successfully advocating for improved children's recreational facilities. He was Town Chairman of the Deerfield Republican Committee and a member of the Oneida County Republican Committee.

Richard was a 50-year member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, a member of VFW Post 8093 and

lifelong member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing the St. Lawrence River, camping in the

Adirondacks, boating on the St. John's River, bowling, and coaching children's baseball. He treasured the many friendships he had with the people of the Debary Trader's Cove Homeowners Association. He especially enjoyed the poker games, the clubhouse gatherings, and the projects they worked on together.

On May 23, 1953, Richard married Marna Jean Dwyer at St. Paul's Church in Whitesboro. Richard was predeceased by Marna in 1982 after a marriage of 29 years. He married Beverly Bamford Zullo at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro on June 15, 1996. She passed away in 2019.

Richard is survived by one son, Steven Fortnam (Janet), one daughter Mary Ann Fortnam Wells (Pat), and two stepdaughters, Susan Zullo and Lori Remick.

Richard leaves 8 grandchildren, Tim (Bethany), Kristen (Matthew), Ashley, Brandon, Brett (Susan), Cody, Kathryn (Zachary) and Lisa (Steven) and 12 great grandchildren, Isabella, Natalie, Amy, Marcus, Bowen, Locke, Henry, Maxine, Chloe, Sadie, Dominic and Leo.

He is also survived by nephews Carey (Mary Beth) and Scott (Shana) Fortnam, David (Julie), Daniel, Paul, and Thomas (Karen) Dwyer, nieces Katherine and Denise Fortnam and Kathleen Dwyer, and sister-in-law Helen Dwyer.

Arrangements are with the Dimbleby Funeral Homes Inc. 40 Main St. Whitesboro.

For online expressions of sympathy please go to www.dimblebyfh.com