IRWIN W FORTIN SR's Obituary
Irwin W Fortin Sr. January 28, 1923 – May 17, 2018 Resident of Fremont, CA Irwin W Fortin Sr. passed away on Thursday, May 17th after a glorious life of 95 years! He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, who touched the lives of so many with his witty sense of humor, enthusiasm for life and dedicated work ethics. Irwin also known as Irv, was born in Edgeley, North Dakota to Harry Fortin and Berniece Glew. Preceded by siblings Harry Jr, Audrey and Martin. Keith is the last surviving sibling.Irv graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, WA in 1941. In 1942 he married Wilma Owen and had three boys, Gary, Dennis and Fred. Gary and Dennis precede their father. In 1944 he bravely enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving our Country in France during WWII. With an honorable discharge in 1946.In 1951 Irv married Alice Mae Lapp and had three children, Deborah, Irwin Jr. and Cynthia. They moved to Fremont California in 1957 where they built their lives together. Irv’s occupation was carpentry, with two of his son’s following in his footsteps. He served 50 years in the Carpenters Union, Local 405 and was recently awarded his 70 years of faithful service pin. Most of his career was dedicated to Superintending commercial and concrete structures throughout the Bay Area. One of his milestones was constructing the B.A.R.T. under water ‘tube’ to connect the transit line from Oakland to San Francisco, CA.Irv’s heart was enormous and filled with love for everyone! Always generous and willing to teach his craft of carpentry and his favorite pastime, poker. He taught all of his children and almost all of his grandchildren the game and loved it!Irv was all about family and enjoying it to the fullest with all of them. A life well lived with many decedents. Irv was blessed with seven children (one adopted, William) Twenty Grandchildren, fifteen Great Grandchildren and four Great-Great Grandchildren. Not to count all those close friends and relatives in his lifetime he called family.Irv’s loving spirit, passion for life and exuberant personality will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.
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