Ronald F. Fortin

Ronald Francis Fortin of York, Maine, passed away peacefully after a long illness at his home on the afternoon of July 10, 2024. Born on August 1, 1934 in Manchester, New Hampshire, Ronald – known to most as Pépère – lived a modest, full, and varied life. The son of Rose (Ringewold) and Alphege Fortin, Ron had two sisters, Barbara (Vigneault) and is survived by Janice. Raised in a working-class family, Ron joined the Navy for one year and then traveled the world in his 27 years of service in the US Air Force. Although proud of his service, Pépère was humble and never felt comfortable when “thanked” for his service despite achieving the rank of Captain and taking advantage of the GI Bill to earn a college degree from Pepperdine University. On January 5, 1957, he made what he considered to be the best decision of his life by marrying his fellow Manchester native Henrietta (Demers), ne “Chickie” with whom he had five children. His two oldest sons Mark and David previously passed away. He is survived by Chickie, his two daughters Cynthia Dodd (Whitey) of York, Felicia Curtin of Berwick, Me, and son Jeffrey Fortin (Suzanne Filippone) of Durham, NH, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren who live in Oklahoma, Washington, Texas, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Ronald lived all over the world during his service in the US military, including Bermuda, Nebraska, Hawai’i, Japan, Michigan, Florida, and Texas, retiring at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH, and finally settling down in York, Maine where he owned a small eighteenth-century farm specializing in vegetables, horses, goats, a bull, and several thousand chickens. Whiffletree Farm, as he named it, was one of if not the first organic chicken meat farm in the state of Maine, but after several years of growing his chicken business, Ronald turned to custom woodworking as his vocation, designing and building beautiful furniture by hand. Later, his interests led him to another profession, this time as a bread baker, which he distributed throughout Seacoast New
Hampshire and Maine. His focaccia was especially delicious. Additionally, he was passionate about homebrewing, trying his hand at concocting numerous styles of beer and ale from around the world. Pépère was never quite satisfied being successful at just one activity; instead, he mastered several professions and skills, earning him the nickname “The Renaissance Man” from family and friends.

Pépère had a knack for making friends in part because he was always genuinely interested in people from all walks of life. You could not go anywhere in public without Pépère making a new friend. During his ninety years on this earth, each person who met Pépère remembered him for his kindness, his genuine care for others, and his ability to be successful at just about anything he put his mind to. They don’t make ‘em like Pépère anymore.

In place of flowers, the family asks for donations to The Wounded Warriors Project. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in York, Me. on Friday, July 19, 11:00 am followed by a reception. Burial will occur on Monday, July 22 at 12:00 pm at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH 03303. Both are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

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