Gerard Fortin

Gerard Fortin, 88, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and his wife of 58 years with his family at his side May 31, 2011. Gerard was born in Winslow July 31, 1922 son of Alphonse Peter Fortin and Julia Duquette Fortin. He was a lifetime resident of Winslow and was educated in Winslow schools but due to the Depression he opted to go to work after the 9th grade to help support his large family.Gerard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Campaign during WWII. He served with Company C 565th Signal Air Warning Battalion in the Philippines and New Guinea until 1946. After the was he returned home to go into business with his father and brothers. He was a lifelong cattle dealer and butcher. He and his late wife owned Fortin's Meats in Winslow until it closed in 1999. He met the love of his life, Mary Vivian Oakes whom he married June 4, 1948. Together they raised seven children. Gerard was a very compassionate and generous man. He was a very devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather. they don't make many men like him anymore. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Vivian; brother, Leo, Wilbert "Bert", Alphonse and Donald; sister, Yvette; and by a granddaughter, Melina Paradis. He is survived by his children, Wilfred Fortin of Sidney, Norma Fortin of Hampden, Mary Wilkinson of San Antonio, TX, Irene Fortin of Quincy, MA, Susan and John Dwyer of Pembroke, MA, Frances and Erik Rasmussen of Great Falls, VA, John and Deborah Fortin of Vassalboro; 12 grandchildren, Lisa, Sarah, Kathryn, Monica, Miranda, John, Jay, Kyle, Alex, Joseph, Jarrett, Joel; ten great-grandchildren; his siblings, Sister Norma, Robert, Lucien and George. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Fri., June 3, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sat., June 4 at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville. A celebration of his life will follow at Notre Dame Hall, 112 Silver St., Waterville. A donation in memory of Gerard may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018 or to the American Diabetes Assoc., P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.