Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Albert James “Jim” Fortier of Barefoot Bay, FL and formerly Laconia, NH passed away on May 20, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 81 years old.
Jim was born in Hanover, NH on March 4th, 1939, one of four children to the late Frederick and Emma Fortier. On September 8, 1962, he married Arlene B. Dever, his wife of 57 years.
As a young man, he began working as an auto mechanic at Kip & Joes, a Volkswagen dealership located in Holderness, NH, while also serving in the National Guard. He left Kip & Joes in 1975 to open his own business, Jim’s Auto Repair, originally at the former Tulsa station on Union Ave. He owned and operated Jim’s Auto Repair until he “hung up his wrenches” and entered retirement in 2007. He and Arlene spent several years splitting time between Laconia and Barefoot Bay before relocating permanently to their Florida home a few years ago.
Jim was a prolific volunteer in the Lakes Region. While raising his 6 children, he was active in all their sporting events; President and coach of Laconia Little League, coach of Lou Athanas Youth Basketball, and coach of Lakes Region Youth Hockey. He was also active in Kiwanis, serving two terms as President and being named Kiwanian of the Year in 1985, 1993, and 1999. He held leadership roles with the Laconia 4th of July Committee, Parents and Children Together (PACT), Key Club, Multicultural Festival, President LHS Band Boosters, LHS Athletic Booster Club, among many other community organizations. Jim was recognized for all his selfless acts of volunteerism by receiving The Debra Bieniarz Memorial Award in 1997, along with his wife Arlene, which recognized “outstanding service to children and youth in the Lakes Region who enlivened and enriched the lives of young people” and The Bob Dearborn Memorial Family/Youth Award in 2002, which was given to “the person who has given unselfishly to the families or youth of the community in the philosophy of Parents and Children Together”.
He is survived by his wife Arlene; his three sisters, Carole Myrick, Joan Royea and Diana Dufault and his sister-in-law Janet Barry; his six children, Steve Fortier (Sue) of Alstead, NH, Shelly Fortier (Janet Paro) of Fort Pierce, FL, Jeanette Chasse (Dennis) of Mont Vernon, NH, Rick Fortier (Doreen) of Franklin, NH, Lisa Byars (Wes) of Gilford, NH, and Suzy Fortier (Jason Bryant) of Laconia, NH. ; 10 grandchildren – Sean and Laryssa Fortier, Randi, Jordyn and Colton Byars, Troya and Tevin Fortier, Breana, Brandon and Brycen Martin – 7 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jim will always be remembered for his quick wit and great sense of humor. He loved to share laughs with family and friends – always with a “joke of the day”. He enjoyed his retirement days as an avid Nascar fan, playing golf, playing card games, and riding his golf cart to the pond to feed the turtles. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Thank you to Sebastian River Medical Center’s 2nd floor nurses and the staff at William Child’s Hospice House for making his final days comfortable.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247 in memory of Kiwanian, Jim Fortier.
Condolences may be shared online at www.millenniumcremationservice.com.
Our caring professionals are here to assist you and your family during this difficult time. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to assist in immediate arrangements or pre-arrangements.
Shelly Fortier
May 23, 2020, 12:38 am
Love you so much Dad. Thanks for being “that guy” for me, teaching me so much about sports, life, fishing, cars. I loved pumping gas at your Tulsa station on Union Ave when I was just a young girl. You always had my back. I am so happy I lived close enough in your final days to be here with you. Rock the heavens…hope they were ready for you.
#1 daughter Shelly
May 23, 2020, 12:50 am
Love you Dad and will miss you. I have so many great memories of you. Thanks for being such a great Dad and role model. I loved learning how to fish, play sports, work on cars, pumping gas at the Tulsa station, snow plowing with you. Glad I was here in Florida for the past year and was able to make more memories with you. I know now you’re no longer suffering. Rock the heavens until we meet again.
Mia
May 26, 2020, 2:26 pm
May Heaven enjoy all the laughs and light you brought to so many here on Earth. Thank you for always being there with support and laughs and keeping my 54 Chevy running.
Love you,
Mia
Julie Kingsley
May 26, 2020, 2:37 pm
Our condolences to the Fortier Family.
Jim and Julie Kingsley
Jeanette Chasse
May 26, 2020, 4:47 pm
I am so proud to be your daughter and you taught me so much and made me who I am today. You taught me to work hard, play hard and enjoy life to the fullest. You will be missed more than you know.
I love you – rest easy dad,
Jeanette
Karen Anders
May 26, 2020, 4:57 pm
Hugs to all of you from all of us . Love you!
Debbie Bolduc
May 26, 2020, 5:51 pm
More than an uncle, you were my Godfather and father-figure. You were the one man in my life that made me realize that there were decent men in the world. I can’t think of you without hearing your laugh and seeing that ever-present smile. Your dedication to our community is one I can only aspire to. I’m sure you’ll be the Mayor of Heaven in record time. They’re lucky to have you, but you will be greatly missed here on earth.
Coni Dwinal
May 26, 2020, 6:14 pm
We are sorry for your loss! He will be missed
Coni and Catie Dwinal and Cari Land
Dee Morrissette
May 26, 2020, 7:37 pm
RIP Jimmy, I’ll always remember you. I loved working at the garage with you in Gilford.
Ross Ketchum
May 26, 2020, 8:03 pm
Jim was such a kind person! I could always expect a smile and handshake after parades. Rest easy Jim
Fred Wernig Jr.
May 26, 2020, 9:58 pm
My condolences to the Fortier family ! Jim was one of the first people I met when my family moved to Gilford ! As a Laconia mailman I met him and he became our family mechanic ! Just a great gut !❤
Tim Reever
May 26, 2020, 11:58 pm
My most sincere condolences to the entire Fortier family. Jim was great guy. Always very helpful when it came to fixing those older cars on a college student’s budget. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Jim giguere
May 27, 2020, 1:16 am
My heart goes out to the Fortier family. Many fond memories growing up in Laconia
Kevin Waldron
May 27, 2020, 4:11 am
My heartfelt condolences to you all. I loved this guy who taught me many things that lead to many opportunities I’ve had in life One of the very few people that I would do absolutely anything for without question. Godspeed Jim Fortier. I will miss you my friend.
Candace Smith
May 27, 2020, 9:47 am
Dear Arlene and family,
Your wonderful husband /dad will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only a caring, warm, and hard working man, but one of the funniest men I have ever had the pleasure knowing. I have so many super memories of him and know that he is still entertaining in Heaven. Sending you all my love, condolences and prayers.
Candace Smith
John Ortakales
May 27, 2020, 10:28 am
My condolences to Jim’s family. Jim was like family to me when I bought my first VW Beetle from Kip & Joes back in the 60’s. Whenever I had a problem he would help me out. It was because of him that I fell in love with VW’s and starting restoring VW busses and Beetles. The last time I saw him about 12 years ago in Laconia he helped me with an issue with my 75 VW camper which I still own. You will be will be missed by a lot of us. You were such a decent man to everyone.
Diana Graves Kindell
May 27, 2020, 4:43 pm
My condolences to the family and prayers of peace to you Arlene.
Lisa Moulton
May 27, 2020, 11:46 pm
Our deepest condolences to this entire family. Our family has know Jim and Arlene, Carol Myrick and Debbie Bolduc & family for over 25 years. Jim and Arlene have done so very much for Laconia over the years. They were always a fixture here and we miss them very much. Jim rest easy my dear sir, you are one in a million.
Lots of Love,
The Moulton family, Lisa, Kevin, Theresa and Kristopher
Phil Andrews
May 28, 2020, 12:08 am
Our condolences to the Fortier Family, sorry for your loss. God Bless you.
Wayne St.Jacques
May 28, 2020, 12:30 am
So many laughs with with Jim at Jim’s Auto. I remember when Jim set Rick and I up for our cross-country trip in my Camaro upon graduating..He had to make sure we weren’t going to breakdown! What a kick he got out of our Halloween cheerleader outfits too.. lol 😉 Prayers are with the entire family..He will be missed.
Karen Champlin
May 28, 2020, 10:19 am
Arlene, our sympathies go out to you and your family. Jim touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. We are so sorry for your loss.
Karen Champlin
May 28, 2020, 10:22 am
Arlene, we are so sorry for your loss. Jim touched the lives of many, always with a smile on his face. Sending our sympathies to you and your family.
Carol Stone
May 28, 2020, 1:53 pm
Dear Arlene and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Jim was such a nice man..generous and fun. Loved to play cards and board games with him even if he never lost!
Warm regards to you and yours.
David Berry
May 29, 2020, 4:09 pm
My condolences to the Fortier family. Everyone went to Laconia Tulsa and later Jim’s auto for service. He was an amazing man and he was always happy. He will be greatly missed.
Carole Myrick
June 1, 2020, 2:27 am
My brother was the best. Any body that knew him loved him. I loved it when we would get together to play cards. He would get that smirk on his face and we knew we were in trouble. He would hoard cards and go out on us all at once. There are so many good memories growing up. I was so proud when he walked my youngest daughter down the isle and gave her away. RIP my beloved brother. I love you and miss you so very much.
Martha Perry
June 6, 2020, 6:44 am
Dear Arlene and Family,
May the constant Love of caring friends soften your sadness
May cherished memories bring you moments of comfort
May lasting Peace, Hope and Love surround your grieving Hearts ♥️
Jim will Live in the Hearts of others and never to die. Our deepest condolences,
Martha and Cindy
Tom and Karen Dumais
June 7, 2020, 12:18 am
We’d like to express our deepest sympathies to the Fortier family. We have very fond memories of Jim and his sense of humor. Tom will never forget his days with Jim at Laconia Tulsa, especially when the work day was over and everyone went to the back room for a cold one. Tom’s first vehicle, a VW Beetle, was assembled at Jim’s for $100 using parts from the back yard. One memory Tom has is that Jim never worried about collecting for services immediately. He was kind-hearted and open to many different forms of payment. We hope that all fond memories of Jim help you during these difficult times.
Laura Berry Stevens
October 6, 2020, 5:06 pm
I remember how kind Jim was. I always enjoyed seeing him at the station. I spent many wonderful afternoons at the Fortier home as a little girl. My prayers and condolences to all of you. I know Jim will be missed very much.