WORCESTER – Reverend Theodore Fortier, A.A., 94, died Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in Saint Vincent Hospital after a period of declining health.
In addition to his fellow Assumptionists, he leaves a brother, Albert Fortier of Waterville, ME; 16 nephews and nieces, and many grand-nephews, grand-nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by an infant brother Norman and by 2 sisters, Jeannette Gaughan and Marie Fortier.
He was born on August 8, 1927 in Hartford and raised in Rumford, ME, the son of Armand and Cecile (Dionne) Fortier. He graduated from Assumption Preparatory School in 1945 and then from Assumption College in 1950. He completed theological studies at the Grand Seminary in Quebec City in 1954 and earned a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Laval University there in 1969.
He made his religious profession on September 8, 1948 in Quebec and was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1953 by Bishop Maurice Roy in Quebec City.
Father Theodore was a philosophy professor at Assumption College from 1958 to 1980 and again in Beni-Butembo, Zaire from 1982 to 1984. He was assigned to the shrine of St. Peter in Gallicantu in Jerusalem from 1980 to 1982. He served as the chaplain at Quincy City Hospital for 17 years. From 2002 to 2009 he ministered at Saint Therese Parish in Athens, Greece. He retired in 2009, living at the Assumptionist house at Old English Road. For the last 12 years, he was a resident at Christopher Heights in Worcester.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, February 15, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, 512 Salisbury Street, with the Very Reverend Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A., Provincial of the North American Province as the principal celebrant. Burial will be in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Fiskdale. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 Tuesday morning in the chapel. Donations in his name may be made to the Assumptionist Retirement Fund, 330 Market Street, Brighton 02135. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.