Patrick J. Fortier

WELLS – Patrick J. Fortier passed away peacefully on May 11, 2021 at his home in Wells. He was 84 years old. Pat, as he was known by his family and friends, was born in Sanford to Alex and Rose (Rouleau) Fortier.

He was a loving husband to his wife Priscilla (Lariviere) Fortier for 54 years until she passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2015. He met Priscilla roller skating in Old Orchard Beach and it was truly love at first sight. When it came time for him to propose, showing his humor, he proposed at first with a plastic gum-ball machine ring before presenting Priscilla with the actual ring he had purchased. He was proud of his Catholic faith and even when he was unable to worship in public, due to his health, he faithfully watched Mass from the comfort of his home.

Pat was a kind, generous, and loving man who was devoted to his family throughout his entire life. He was often overheard telling people how lucky he was to have four daughters and knew they would take care of him in his own home to the very end, which they did. He enjoyed the little things in life, like walks, rides to his favorite beaches, boat rides on the lake, family outings and camping vacations. Anything that he could do with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren made him very happy.

No one loved the holidays and all the traditions and festivities more than Pat. Friendly to everyone; he always had a smile and a funny story to tell. He was like a big kid, loving the Harry Potter books and movies, often discussing them with his daughters and grandchildren. He was a keen reader who loved history and sports and knew so much on many subjects. An early riser, Pat used to take pre-dawn walks wherever he was, and often loved to see if he could spot any UFOs. No moss would grow under his feet because he was always ready for his next adventure. Pat loved life and lived it to the fullest; even when ill-health or pain slowed him down, he never would give in to it. Keeping with his good attitude, he would often say that he has lived a very good life, right until the very end.

In his most recent years, he made sure to always have a bag of Pepperidge Farms parmesan goldfish crackers for each of his great-grandchildren, by which he became lovingly known to them as “Pepere Goldfish”. This title always made him chuckle and said that would be his legacy. But all who got to know Pat will remember him for so much more.

Due to the Covid restrictions, his family regretfully cannot fulfill his wish for his funeral party. Pat asked his daughters to have a big Irish style party, where everyone who knew him was invited and welcomed to tell a story or memory about him, eat, drink and be merry. His daughters ask everyone who remembers him to celebrate his life in their own way and to raise a glass of your favorite drink, in his memory, would be quite appropriate.

Pat was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla; and son-in-law, Timothy Turner in 1989; also, by his parents; brothers, Leo Fortier and Rene Fortier and his sister, Sr. Therese Fortier; as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Surviving are his four daughters, Suzanne (Fortier) Turner from Salem, Mass., Mary (Fortier) Nason and her husband Clyde from Wells, Deb (Fortier) Traves and her fiancée Marc Belanger from Sanford, Nancy Fortier-Brown and her husband Rob Brown from Randolph; 13 grandchildren, Candice Labbe and her husband Dave, Bryce Turner and his wife Michelle, Elijah Brown and his fiancée Kayla Siebert, Travis Nason and his wife Lottie, Jessica Nason and her partner Todd Trefethen, Tyler Traves and his wife Kerri, Cody Traves and his fiancée Emily Fenderson, Alex Traves and his girlfriend Seana Grealey, Ethan Belanger, Colby Fortier-Brown and his wife Ciara, Patrick Fortier-Brown and his fiancée Caroline See, Amy (Fortier-Brown) Gingras and her husband Isaac, Adam Fortier-Brown and fiancée Kali Mildrum; as well as 15 great-grandchildren, Oliver and Elliot Labbe, Braxton, Barrett and Bowen Turner, Rylan and Owen Saucier, Caidyn, Dayven and Braylen Trefethen, Kaya Richard and baby Clyde Nason, Luca and Lyra Traves and Ezra Gingras. Survivors also include his sister, Doris Dion, brothers Philip Fortier and Robert (and his wife Diane) Fortier, sisters-in-law, Sr. Rita Lariviere, Estelle Lariviere; and so many special nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews.

Mass and Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 17, at 11 a.m., at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford. Burial military honors will follow at the Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale.