Bruce E. Fortier, 76, a longtime resident of 186 Southern Avenue, Essex, died suddenly in his home Thursday, July 25, 2019.
Born in Ellsworth, ME on November 15, 1942 one of the three children of the late Frank C. and Elizabeth (Hanson) Fortier. Bruce was raised in Essex, a 1960 graduate of Gloucester High School. He continued his studies at Northeastern University but was soon sidetracked by a motorcycle accident. He was able to enter the Navy and served as an aircraft mechanic during the years of the Vietnam War.
For several years he was employed as a machinist/fabricator at Bomco formerly of Gloucester, later at Gloucester Engineering and self-employed for most for these past years. He was skilled machinist and was very proud of the 1935 Ford reproduction he built “from scratch.” In the early 1970s, he served as an Essex Selectman and for many he was the “go-to guy” for community issues.
Bruce is survived by a brother, Peter F. Fortier of Beverly; a sister, Susan M. Talbot and her husband Frederick A. of Baltimore, MD; many friends and acquaintances in including his very good friend David Andrews of Essex.
His funeral service with Military Honors was be held earlier this week graveside in the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex.
