Joseph R. Fortin

Joseph Roland Fortin passed peacefully on March 22, 2026, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida.

He was born in Augusta, Maine and raised on Sand Hill in that city, the oldest of Lillian (Bilodeau) and Philias Fortin’s thirteen children. He attended parochial and public schools, leaving school after eighth grade to work to help support his family. He earned his GED before joining the US Air Force, serving from 1951 – 1955. A Korean War veteran, he was stationed in Iceland.

Returning to Augusta, he attended Gates Business College, where he met Francesca Waterhouse, the love of his life. They wed in 1956 and were married until her passing in 2013. After completing his courses at Gates, Joe went to work for EE Taylor Shoe Company as a cost accountant, because it was the course in which he received his lowest grade, and “I wanted to prove that I could do it.” And he did – eventually rising to the position of Controller.

Joe and Fran moved to Freeport, and then Yarmouth, with their three children (Anthony, James, and Linda) to be closer to EE Taylor’s business office in Freeport. In Yarmouth, three more children were added (Jane, Sandra, and Stephen). A communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yarmouth, Joe sang in the choir and was one of the church’s first Eucharistic Ministers. His singing wasn’t confined to the church – he was a longtime member of the Downeasters Barbershop Chorus and sang with the Fireside Four quartet.

After leaving EE Taylor, Joe was employed by Connell Diesel in Portland, and later at American Steel & Aluminum, from which he retired as Controller. After selling their home in Yarmouth, Joe and Fran spent summers at their camp on Great Pond in Belgrade, and wintered in Lakeland, Florida, where they eventually moved.

An avid golfer, it has been said that Joe remembered every golf hole he played but couldn’t always remember to keep his head down. Before leaving Maine, he did card a hole-in-one at Western View in Augusta, where he frequently played. He was also a bowler, continuing to bowl at 94 years old.

After Fran passed in 2013, Joe formed a loving relationship with Darlene Alvord. The couple enjoyed going to the casino, bowling together, cruises, and dining out. Darlene was faithfully alongside Joe as his health started to decline. The family would like to thank Darlene, Barbara Lee, and Mary and Larry Fortin, and the amazing staff at Good Shepherd Hospice House for their great help in caring for our father.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Cecile, Irene, Richard, Phil, Jeanne, Norman, Dell and Daniel, and son-in-law Glen Eads. In addition to Darlene, he leaves behind siblings Patrick, Barbara, Larry, and Reggie, and his children and their spouses: Anthony Fortin (Elizabeth), James Fortin (Michelle), Linda Harvie (Mark), Jane Phalen (Shane), Sandra Fortin-Eads (Glen), and Stephen Fortin (Maureen), twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Arrangements for a funeral and burial will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please visit a local bakery and enjoy a crème horn in Joe’s memory.