Romeo J. Fortier

JAY – Romeo J. Fortier, 89, a resident of Jay, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at Andwell Hospice in Auburn with his loving family by his side. He was born on Jan. 13, 1936, in Chisholm, the son of Adalbert and Alice (Beaudette) Fortier. He attended St. Rose of Lima School and was a 1955 graduate of Jay High School. Following school, he enlisted and proudly served in the U.S. Army. On April 10, 1959, in Sabattus, he married Annette Witherell of Monmouth. They made their home and raised their family in the house that Romeo built for them in Jay. Romeo worked at International Paper at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay as a Journeyman Millwright for 38 years before his retirement. He was a member of the International Paper Company Quarter Century Club, Local #14, Maine Rovers Camping Club and Andy Valley Snowmobile Riders Club. He enjoyed hiking and one of his favorite memories was hiking Mt. Katahdin with his kids. He enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, skiing, boating, camping, cards and music – both playing and listening, He and Annette spent 23 winters in Florida where he enjoyed playing shuffleboard, riding his bike and going for daily walks. Above all else, his greatest joy was his family and the love and laughter they shared. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Annette Fortier of Jay, his daughter Sue Bell and husband Kevin of Winthrop; his sons, Rick Fortier and wife Riitta of Westbrook, Dennis Fortier and wife Elisabetta Mariotti of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Tom Fortier and partner Stefanie Copeland of Jay; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as his sisters: Constance Pinette of Auburn, Florence Labrecque of Lewiston, and Rose Marie Levasseur of Lewiston, his brother Paul Fortier and wife Evelyn of East Livermore, his brother-in-law, Donald LaBranche of Lewiston, sister-in-law, Lois Fortier of Jay and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Julie Bubier, Eloise Vachon and Irene LaBranche; his brother, Roger Fortier, special daughter-in-law, Kellee Fortier, brothers-in-law, Arthur Bubier, Lucien Vachon, Raoul Pinette, Ronald Labrecque, Lucien Levasseur and sister-in-law, Marlene Fortier. Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 15, at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the funeral home prior to the service. Interment at a later date, Monmouth Ridge Cemetery, Monmouth.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Memory of Romeo J. Fortier to: Andwell Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road

Auburn, Maine 04210

or show an act of kindness in his memory.