...U.S.A.F., Elks, Aleppo Shriners, A.F. & A.M., D.A.V., Am. Legion; 79
TEWKSBURY - Richard E. "Dick" Fortier, age 79, a well known resident and former businessman in Tewksbury, died unexpectedly on Thursday evening, June 16, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, following a long period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Rita G. (Brabant) Fortier, with whom he had celebrated a 59th wedding anniversary this past November 4th.
He was born in Dighton, on January 10, 1932, the son of the late Myrtle (Walton) and Alfred Fortier. He was a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, and graduated from Tewksbury High School with the Class of 1950.
During the Korean War, Dick served in the U.S. Air Force.
He worked as a pipefitter at Atlantic Gelatin in Woburn, and simultaneously owned and operated G&R Auto Parts, now Wings Auto Parts, on Shawsheen Street in Tewksbury.
He was a Charter Member and Life Member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge 2070, where he held member number 19. He was a Past Commander of the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post 110, and Past Vice Commander of the Tewksbury Post 259 of the American Legion. He was a member of the Wamesit Lodge of A.F. & A.M., and the Aleppo Shrine in Wilmington.
Besides his wife, he is survived by seven children, Richard G. Fortier and his wife Diane (Meuse) of Center Barnstead, NH, George H. Fortier and his wife Lydia (Fitzgerald) of High Springs, FL, Michelle G. Fortier of St. Augustine, FL, Denise P. Spampinato and her husband Manny of Methuen, Jacqueline R. "Jackie" Benlian and her husband Michael of No. Chelmsford, Janine L. Phillips and her husband Rick of Alachua, FL, and Therese M. Silva and her husband John of Methuen; eleven grandchildren, Natalie Malcolm of Belmont, NH, Richard G. Fortier Jr, of Concord, NH, Patricia A. Spampinato of Milford, NH, Walter E. Fisher III of Malden, Robert A. Boyd Jr., of Lake Butler, FL, Kathleen G. Van Hoose of Gainesville, FL, James T. Penrose of St. Augustine, FL, John L. Silva Jr., and Rita G. Silva both of Methuen, Camille Esmel of High Springs, FL, Curtis Esmel of Derry, NH; eight great grandchildren, Billy, Haley, Desember, Kimberlee, Riley, Zaya, Claira, and Odin; two sisters, Jacqueline Raymond of Berkley, MA and Patricia Martin and her husband Thomas of Raynham; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours Monday June 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. His funeral will begin Tuesday, June 21, at 9:00 a.m. from the Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury. Burial with USAF Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Transportation Fund, Aleppo Shriners, 99 Fordham Rd., Wilmington, MA 01887 or the Elks National Foundation, c/o Al Rock, 777 South St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.