GRANBY – George L. Fortier, 99, a longtime resident of Granby, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, January 24, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Easthampton on January 6, 1916 a beloved son of 15 children to the late Louis E. and Lea L. (Loiselle) Fortier. He was raised in Holyoke, attended local schools and lived in Holyoke for many years before moving to South Hadley. He later moved to Granby on December 28, 1963. George was employed for 20 years as a shipping supervisor and then a warehouse manager at the former J. Russell Company in Holyoke. Following their closing, he was the office manager for several years at the former Bak Tire Company in Northampton and retired in 1978. George also served for many years as the Dog Officer for the Town of Granby. He was a member of the Chicopee Sportsmen’s Club and the National Rifle Association. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a longtime communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby where he served his parish as an Usher. Most of all, he was a wonderful provider for his wife and family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving sons, George P. Fortier who was Called Home on April 12, 1995 and Donald E. Fortier, Sr. who was Called Home on May 26, 2001; his loving daughter-in-law, Frances D. Fortier who was Called Home on January 8, 2006; his cherished granddaughter, Katherine E. Fortier who was Called Home on October 14, 2004; his dear brother, Dolphus Fortier; his dear sisters, Lillian LaBonte, Alberta Neilon, Evangeline Bussard and Claire Ganis; and five other dear brothers and sisters, who died as infants. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Mary E. (Purcell) Fortier. They were married on July 3, 1941 and were blessed with over 73 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his loving children, William F. Fortier and his wife, Marie, of Crestview, FL, Jean E. Walker and her husband, David, of Chicopee, Robert L. Fortier of Granby, and John J. Fortier of Lancaster, CA; his loving daughter-in-law, Judith A. Fortier of South Hadley; his 21 cherished grandchildren; his 29 cherished great-grandchildren; his four cherished great-great grandchildren; his dear brother, Albert Fortier of Granby; his dear sisters, Rosanna Ford of Perth Amboy, NJ, Rita Fabricius of Granby and Irene Gemme and her husband, Rene, of Chicopee; his dear brother-in-law, Benjamin Ganis of Pensacola, FL; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Fortier and Purcell families. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, January 30, 2015 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 256 State Street, Granby, MA 01033. His burial will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com