Andre (Andy) Gerard Fortier
October 16th, 1935 - September 25th, 2021
(85 Years Young!)
The Fortier family are saddened to announce the passing of their father Andy Fortier of Colinton, AB.
Andy is survived by his 6Children: Gerry (Sherry) of Ft McMurray, Elaine Williams of Edmonton, Michael (Leigh) of Rochester, Lynn (Steve) of Rochester, Dale (Tracy) of Calgary, Danny (LeeAnn) of Ft Saskatchewan, all in AB; along with 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife and mother of his children: Denise (Ouellette), daughter of Armand and Pauline Ouellette of Donnelly Alberta.
Andy was the son of the late Joseph at and Rose-Alma Fortier nee (Morin) of Donnelly, (Guy) Alberta. Born in humble surroundings at home to a Blacksmith father, he was the oldest of 11 children.
Andy was predeceased by 4 brothers and 5 sisters; Lucien (Noella) Servant of Fahler, Sylva (Delores) Corriveau of Edmonton, Denis (Beatrice) Corriveau, Victor (Jean) Mouchewene of Edmonton Alberta, Lucille (Jean) Gosselin of Donnelly, Rita (Lucien) Collin of Hinton, Germaine (Lorne) Mckinnon of Terrace, Blanche (Bill) Osborne of Kelowna, and Noella (Lloyd) Lumblad of Valleyview. Andy leaves behind his only surviving brother, Raymond Fortier, of Prince George.
Andy was a man that lived life to the fullest, always on his terms. He was very well known for his photographic memory and could remember the names of anyone he ever met. Andy started work at the early age of 14, working alongside his father at the Blacksmith Shop, in Donnelly. He later went on to pile lumber for Maisonneuve Sawmill, then became a linesman for McGregor Power, along with a short work period with CNR in Hythe, AB. He was soon lured to the North, Whitehorse, YT, where he lived for a while with his Uncle Odilon and Auntie Fern, doing miscellaneous jobs and driving taxi while apparently bootlegging on the side! LOL. Andy was then hired on with DOT to work on the DEW line (NORAD) in the Arctic. He was stationed in remote (exotic) places, like Wrigley and Snag in the Arctic, and Yellowknife, NWT.
On one of these yearly trips to Donnelly, he had a whirlwind romance and married the mother of his children, Denise (Ouellette) in the fall of 1959. Andy then settled down to start his family, and became the Airport Manager in Beaton River, B.C., then on to Watson Lake, YT in the same position. He then transferred with his growing family, to Ft. McMurray, A Basthe Airport Manager there for 12 years. After this time, he hired on at Syncrude as a welder, until he retired to Colinton, AB in 1991.
Andy was also an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing, which led him to open a successful Hunting and Sporting Store in Ft. McMurray.“Andy’s Sport and Gun” was like the TV show “Cheers” where the coffee was always on and everyone knew your name! Andy was very well known across Alberta for his knowledge in repairing fine guns. He had clients all over North America. Andy also custom-made and fitted gun stocks for fine hunting rifles. In recent years (The last 5) he and his family of sons and daughters made a yearly pilgrimage to Peace River Country at Gosselin Farms, south of Donnelly, for an enjoyable social outing. Together, with Roger Gosselin, they hunted for moose and elk and were always looking for the ultimate trophy rack!
Andy was also a great, and lifelong athlete. He played hockey for the “McLennan Red Wings” and the “Hythe Mustangs” in AB and in Whitehorse for the “Whitehorse Merchants.” He also played Baseball in Donnelly in his younger years. Andy continued to play “House League Hockey” well into his fifties in Ft. McMurray.
After retirement Andy became an avid gardener. He cultivated a huge garden on his acreage and supplied many families, friends and neighbours with much of his harvest over the years. He was also very famous for the best tasting potatoes around and for dropping by daily to check in on friends and drop off some home-made crepes, potato pancakes or his famous pea soup!
Andy was often known to enjoy a brew or two, and share his humour, wisdom and his unfiltered opinion at the Colinton Hotel, where he had “His Place” at the “Table of Knowledge” and shared ways to solve the world’s problems… He also proudly wore his F**k Trudeau hat wherever he went! He will be sorely missed and often remembered by all who knew and loved him!
Celebration of Life to be held and announced at a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions. In Memory of Andy we only ask that you help a friend or neighbor in need. May He Rest in Peace
To send condolences, please visit: www.athabascacommunitychapel.com
Athabasca Community Chapel
780-675-3996
