…formerly of Tewksbury; 64
TEWKSBURY - George Henry “Porky” Fortier, age 64, a member of a well known Tewksbury family and avid motorcyclist, died peacefully Wednesday morning, August 29, in the loving care of his family and hospice, at his family residence in Tewksbury, after a years long struggle with heart issues compounded most recently by Cancer. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Lydia E. (Fitzgerald) Fortier, with whom he had celebrated a twenty-third wedding anniversary this past July 29th.
George was born in July 1954, one of seven children of Rita (Brabant) Fortier of Tewksbury, and the late Richard E. Fortier. He was educated in St. William’s Parochial School, and was a member of the 1st Graduating Class of Shawsheen Valley Technical Vocational High School in 1973. He lived in Salem, NH, before moving to High Springs, Florida where he had resided for the past fourteen years.
When healthy, George worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator for AFL-CIO Teamsters, Local 379 in Waltham. He was proud to have worked on several landmark projects in Boston including the “Big Dig,” Leonard Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, T-D Garden, Ted Williams Tunnel, and others.
George was all about motorcycles. He built, restored, fixed, rode, and crashed motorcycles since childhood. He also had a soft spot for animals, and while living in Salem, NH, was an active member of the Salem Animal Rescue League.
“Porky” was also a family man, and especially enjoyed any time spent with family. He was also proud to have been a friend to Bill W. for the past 30 years.
Besides his wife and mother, he leaves two children, Curtis R. Esmel and his partner Kate Corbett of Derry, NH, Dr. Camille Esmel-McAvoy and her husband Ted of Port LaBelle, FL; four grandchildren, Odin, Zaya, Zeke, and Vaughn; six siblings, Richard “Dick” Fortier and his wife Diane (Meuse) of Barnstead, NH, Michelle Fortier of St. Augustine, FL, Denise Spampinato and her husband Manny of Laconia, NH, Jacqueline Fortier and her partner Michael Bradbury of Derry, NH, Janine Phillips and her friend Mark Spring of Alachua, FL; Therese Fortier-Silva and her husband John of Methuen; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved “Fur Child” Stella Dora, the family Mastiff.
Visiting hours Tuesday, Sept. 4, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Kindly omit flowers. Memorials to the N.H. Order of the Eastern Star, Guardian Dog Program, 32 Souix Ave., Nashua, NH 03063 or Salem Animal Rescue League, 4 SARL Dr., Salem, NH 03079 are encouraged. see: tewksburyfuneralhome.com