Robert A. Fortin

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Robert A. Fortin passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2025, with his family by his side at the St. Francis Hospice Center in Titusville, Fla.

He was born in Waterville, son of late Cyrille and Anna Fortin. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1955 and immediately signed up for the Marine Corps. He served from 1955 to 1957 and was very proud of his military service. 

He married Merlene McKay in 1958 and shared three children together, Kathleen Gray, Cheryl Knowles and Dana Fortin, all of whom filled him with great pride.

Although he never made it to Nashville like he intended, music continued as his life’s passion. He played many instruments including the organ, guitar and harmonica with several bands over the years. He would share stories of the good ‘ole days playing music in the Marshall Hotel and several lounges in the Waterville area. In his later years, he loved reminiscing and playing music for his girls. By trade he worked as a carpenter and became part of the North Atlantic Carpenters Union. 

He faced his addiction and embarked on his journey to sobriety after the loss of his mother. She was his greatest supporter, and that loss was the starting point for his next chapter. He attended AA and became a support and inspiration for many others through their fight. One of his proudest moments was when he received his forty year chip. He built many friendships within the AA community that he treasured both in Maine and Florida. 

In 1997, he became a snowbird and a Florida resident. One of the grandkids favorite memories is a trip staying with him in Florida and visiting Disney together. He spent his summers in Maine spending time with his family and enjoying campground life at Two Rivers where he made many friends. He cherished his Father’s Day dinners and many BBQs at his daughters house every summer. He loved to go fourwheeling with his friend Ed and his son Dana. He also loved taking an afternoon ride on his motorcycle decked out in his leather gear. 

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Knowles (Timothy) and his son, Dana Fortin (Patricia) and his son-in-law, Daniel Gray and his seven grandchildren, Richard Roderick (Lacey), Matthew Gray, Aaron Gray (Melissa), Ryan Knowles, Kasey Knowles (Paul), Jacob Knowles (Megan) and Cory Fortin and many great-grandchildren; and his nieces, Annette Dooley and Susan Elliot. 

He was predeceased by his daughter “Kimmy,” Kathleen Gray; his parents, Cyrille and Anna Fortin; his sister Bernadette Fortin and his brother Raymond Fortin and his nephew, Scott Fortin.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment

at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is,

not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.



The family would like to thank the St Francis Hospice Center in Titusville, Fla., for their wonderful care in his last days. A private service for immediate family only will be held for him in the spring.