Norman Fortier, Age 91, husband of Lucille (Beaudoin) Fortier of Waterford, CT, peacefully passed away at his home on January 18, 2022, with his family by his side. Norman was born on May 8, 1930, in Lewiston, Maine to the late Bertrand and Delia (Rioux) Fortier. Norman spent most of his life in New Britain, CT where he graduated from New Britain High School, Class of 1949. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he spent his entire career in insurance sales where he eventually became co-owner of Leclerc and Fortier Insurance Agency in New Britain, retiring in 1982. In 2004, he and his wife moved to a retirement community in Southington, CT where they lived for 17 years. In 2021, they moved to the home of their daughter and her family in Waterford, CT. This past July, Norman and Lucille celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sister Jacqueline Wasielewski of Port St. Lucie, FL. He leaves his six children: Gary and his wife Roxanna of Jacksonville, TX, Michael and his wife Anne of Victor, ID, Russell and his wife Paula of Del Rey Beach, FL, Susan Rackstraw and her husband Bill of Winnetka, CA, Marylou Calderone and her husband John of Waterford, CT and Sandra Lee and her husband John of Burlington, CT. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Jeremy Fortier, Jessica Fortier (Ulmer), Danielle Fortier (Easter), Rachel Fortier, Michael Calderone, Catherine Calderone, Tanner Lee, Juliana Lee and Jocelyn Lee, and five great-grandchildren, Raynee Fortier, Cora Fortier, Henry Ulmer, Emmett Ulmer, and Caroline Easter, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Most people would describe Norm as a force of nature, with a great sense of humor and a deep love for his family and friends. He made a lasting impression on people everywhere he went. He loved traveling and was an avid pilot, flying to multiple destinations in his beloved Cessna, with his wife by his side as his co-pilot. Besides his family, Norm’s proudest achievement was his 49 years of sobriety, a cause that led him to help hundreds of others through his involvement with AA.
Norman’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Masonicare hospice team for their wonderful care and support. Special thanks to his longtime friends Richie Cyr and Don Maddox who were like sons to him and were always there to lend a helping hand, as well as his newest BFF, Eddie Rando, who brought great joy into his life since his move to Waterford.
A celebration of life will be held at the New Britain Memorial – Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home in New Britain, CT on March 25, 2022, from 3-6 PM. A military burial will follow on March 26, 2022, at 11 AM at the Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewBritainSagarino.com for the Fortier family.
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