Joseph A. Fortin

Joseph A. Fortin, 94, of West Bridgewater, formerly of Brockton all his life, passed away June 20, 2021. Born in Brockton to the late Cyrus J. and Alberta (Diotte) Fortin, he was the last surviving brother of the late Albert “Pete” Fortin, Richard A. Fortin, Edmund Fortin and Jeannette Billadeau. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Known as “Tuddy” to many, he was an avid rollerskater, enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, traveling and golfing, built his own 1932 Ford “Hotrod” (and later found and his son rebuilt it, see story below), was a lifelong auto enthusiast all over the country, co-owned Spark St. Auto Body in Brockton from 1948-1985, and was a gifted vegetable gardener. Tuddy was the beloved husband of the late Betty J. (Gorham) Fortin; loving father of Ronald A. Fortin and his wife Donna (Asack) Fortin of West Bridgewater, with whom he lived for the last 5 years, and the late Richard A. Fortin; devoted grandfather of Ronald J. Fortin and his wife Kristin, Jeffrey A. Fortin and Nicole N. Fortin; great-grandfather of Natalie N. and Vincent J. Fortin; and he leaves several nieces and nephews. Per his request a private family funeral was held and burial was at Melrose Cemetery in Brockton. Those wishing, donations to your favorite charity in Tuddy’s memory are appreciated.                                                             

Tuddy Fortin Celebration presented by Greg Belcher

 Today we honor and celebrate the life of Joe Fortin, our beloved Tuddy at a ripe age of 94. Joe lived a life of love and happiness. He was a caring man, never thinking of himself.  We all remember his garden full of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beets, and even potatoes.  He made house calls to his family and friends with his fine garden delights. Joe was also a devoted husband to Betty. He married Betty in 1948 and loved her to the end. His dedication to Betty’s battle with Type One Diabetes was always there on her sugar lows and highs. He was an excellent caregiver, again an example of not putting himself first.   He traveled with Betty in his proud 1997 First Edition Purple Prowler not over priced on the sticker as they were later stickered $10,000 over, he was of proud of that. He also purchased the matching trailer and Betty vacuumed sealed their clothes for the journey.  Matching purple sports coats, sunglasses upon their faces they looked like movie stars driving in high mucky muck rich neighborhoods, like Jerusalem Road in Cohasset. They also stopped for ice creams on their adventures. Lisa and I bought a Prowler in 2000 and took trips with them and enjoyed their company. Joe loved cars and was proud of his son Ron. Joe taught Ron a lot of skills, in body repairing, painting in the family business Spark St. Autobody. Ron was known for his exceptional paint jobs. I remember the day he and his Dad found his ‘32 roadster in the middle of the country. He knew it was it was his when he saw the wooden steering wheel his brother Pete made. They took it home and Ron made it beautiful once more. Joe’s smile could have touched the corners the earth.  Joe was also a proud veteran. He was part of the greatest generation, serving in the United States Marines.  He was a true American Patriot.  On behalf of all of us: Joe I thank you for serving our country.  I tell these wonderful stories of an outstanding individual because our lives begin on a date and end on a date referred as the Dash. And it goes like this.

THE DASH

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?

  The people that are here are special people to the Fortin family and I thank you for presence this morning.  Let us bring Mr. Joe Fortin to his beloved wife Betty and precious son Ricky as he enters eternal life with them.  Let us now bring Joe to his place of rest in Melrose Cemetery  

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