Andre Fortin

FORTIN, André It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our father, André Fortin, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, NS on October 10, 2019. He was born in Saint-Gérard-de-Berry, PQ on May 2, 1941. He was the son of Juliette Lamontagne and Noël Fortin. Dad came from a large French-Canadian family. He had 13 brothers and sisters. Surviving members of his family include, Jean-Claude (Monique Ouellette) from Sherbrooke, PQ, Carmen (Stolant Jolette) from Malartic, PQ, René (Céline Bourgeois) from Répentigny, PQ, Françoise (Euclide Haché) from Maryland, USA, Francine (Gilles Demers) from St. Jérome, PQ, Noëlla (Clément Gauthier) from Rivière-Eva et Micheline (Raymond Daigle) from Malartic, PQ. Deceased members are Gaëtane (Raymond Bédard - deceased) N.J, USA, Nicole (Ghistlain St-Denis) from Maryland, USA, Suzanne, Jeanine, Robert (Étiennette Cantin) from Chelmsford, ON and Henri-Paul (Liliane Faucher – deceased). He is pre-deceased by his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Helen Joan Fortin (née Doughan). He began working in the mines in northern Quebec around the age of thirteen. Subsequently, he relocated for work to places such as Thompson, MB, where his eldest daughter Julie was born in 1966. Soon after, they moved to Sudbury, ON where their second daughter, Pamela was born. He spent most of his working life as a nickel and copper miner in Sudbury, ON. He will be fondly remembered by his daughters, Julie (Keith Jonah) from Toronto, ON and Pamela Campbell (Tom Campbell) from Sydney, NS; and his five grandchildren, Calista, Aidan, Angus, Maggie and Juliette. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed having meals at Parkland with the guys, particularly Doug and Harry. He also loved going for outings on his scooter with Doug. It gave him great joy to have that independence. Dad also enjoyed speaking a little bit of French with everyone at Parkland. Thanks to all the staff there, including the shuttle driver. Many special thanks to Dr. Lu-Olaco, the Dialysis Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, to VON and to Handitrans for their friendly and professional services. A special mention should be made to his great friends Claude Parent and Clémence Poirier, as well as, her family for their help and friendship. Clémence became a welcome addition to our families’ lives helping of take care of dad and providing a great and long-lasting friendship after the passing of our mother. There will be no viewing or funeral as per his wishes. A small ceremony at the cemetery in Johnstown, NS will be held soon. Donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation or to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.