Roland G. Fortin

Lewiston - Roland G. Fortin 94, of 369 Webber Avenue, Lewiston, a prominent retired local funeral director, died Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Central Maine Medical Center. He had resided at the Clover Assisted Living Center in Auburn since last May. He was born in Lewiston, December 10, 1915, a son of the late Regent and Marie Gadbois Fortin. He graduated from Lewiston High School in the Class of 1933 and then attended Renouard School of Embalming and Funeral Directing in New York City, from which he graduated in 1936. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. On September 19, 1942, he married Anne Zarkowsky of Auburn. She died March 20, 1981. Mr. Fortin was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish, Holy Cross Church. He also belonged to several professional, fraternal and civic organizations. He began his career in funeral service with his father, Regent, and his brother, Donat Fortin. After his father's death in 1937, he and his brother bought a building at 70 Horton Street in Lewiston to be the home of Fortin Funeral Directors, now the location of The Fortin Group Lewiston. He retired from the funeral practice in 1975. He is survived by Madeleine Bilodeau of Auburn, his long-time friend, companion, and caregiver; his daughter, Patricia, and her husband, Lionel Anctil; and his son, Roland R. Fortin, all of Lewiston; his grandchildren, Scott Anctil, and his wife, Lisa, of Lewiston; Christine, and her husband, Patrick Garner of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Daniel Fortin and his wife, Sunsearae, of Greene; and Roland M. Fortin, and his wife, Maria, of Boulder, Colorado. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Emily and Tanor Anctil, Patrick and Jessie Garner and Derek Fortin, his former daughter-in-law Lucille Dumais Fortin, nieces and nephews and numerous friends, both in this community and in Florida where he spent many winters at Pompano Beach. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Priscilla Paquette and Blanche Berube Leblond; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Donat and Alice Fortin, and Regent and Sarah Fortin. Mr. Fortin specifically requested that thanks be extended to Dr. Seth Gordon who took care of him. Every fall when Roland would leave for Florida, Dr. Gordon would say "I’ll see you next year”. Roland would reply, “I can’t promise”. Dr. Gordon instructed Roland to keep going to the gym, and he did!

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Fortin family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

Visitation Fortin / Lewiston, Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 P.M.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church of Prince of Peace Parish Monday at 11:00 A.M. Committal at St. Peter�s Cemetery Mausoleum. In Mr. Fortin's memory donations may be made to a charity of your choice. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 70 Horton St. Lewiston, Maine 04240 (207) 784-4584.