Fernand Fortin, age 92, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Gull Lake Care Home. He was born at home on January 19, 1932, and christened Joseph Ronald Fernand Fortin by his parents Yvette (Michelle) and Alexandre Fortin. He is survived by a very large family including his children (Claire, Wilfrid, Robert, Lise, Rene, Aline, Annette, Fernande, Roch, Paul, Juliette, Philip) and their families, his siblings Alexcina, Irene, Jeanine, Gilbert and members of his siblings' families as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Lucille Morin (1991) daughter of Rose and Joseph Morin of Ferland, his son Ronald, his parents, his sister Cecile, and brothers Auxilien, Romeo, and Gerard.
Fern grew up in Coderre and travelled extensively throughout Saskatchewan to work before settling down to farm in Ferland with Lucille after their marriage in 1954. They moved to Coderre in 1961 and eventually the family moved to a nearby farm in 1967 where they lived for many years. Fernand retired to a cabin near Buffalo Pound in 2012. He spent his final years under the kind care of the doctors and staff in the Gull Lake Care Home.
Fernand was creative and an inventor at heart, never hesitating to try new ways of doing things. Always a colourful character, he lived life his way and enjoyed time with family. After retirement, he spent many happy hours boating, fishing, and collecting and working on old equipment and vehicles. He lived a simple life, requesting a very simple ceremony with no donations or memorials.
A Catholic Funeral Mass in memory of Fernand took place on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in Coderre. Following the mass, Fernand was laid to rest beside his wife at the Coderre Roman Catholic Cemetery on the day of their wedding anniversary. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels in Gravelbourg.
