LEWISTON – Richard Fortier, 86, died peacefully Thursday, May 13 at d’Youville Pavilion, where he had resided for nine years.

He was born in Berlin, N.H., Feb. 13, 1918, the son of Emery E. and Nellie Pinette Fortier. He graduated from Berlin High School and then managed his father’s bread distributing business. At age 18, he joined the 197th Regiment of the New Hampshire National Guard. He served in the U.S. Army from 1940 until 1945. He supervised regimental administrative matters as a Master Sergeant in the New Guinea and Papuan Campaigns, and received the American Defense Service Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two Battle Stars, and the WWII Victory Medal.

He married Roselle Coury of Berlin in Feb. 1945. She became a locally well-known radio songstress and commentator, working for many years at WCOU and at WLAM. In May 1945, he opened the Lewiston office of the Veterans’ Administration as Contact Officer for returning veterans of Androscoggin and Oxford Counties. His life’s work became helping veterans obtain G.I. Bill benefits, medical care, education and disability pensions. Upon retirement from the Togus VA Center in 1973, he received an award for Outstanding and Unselfish Service to Disabled American Veterans.

Together, he and Roselle raised three children and worked to give them all a college education. He was an avid reader, an amateur photographer and a scrapbook creator. He learned to fly single engine airplanes in 1939. He enjoyed luxury cars, big band music, ballroom dancing and he always could enjoy and tell a good joke. He particularly took pride in the academic and athletic achievements of his children.

He is survived by his three children, Richard Fortier Jr. and wife, Cheryl of New Gloucester, Stephen D. Fortier and wife, Donna of Kingsland, Ga. and Nancy E. Fortier of South Portland; six grandchildren, Nicole Fortier of Portland, Stevie D. Fortier, Courie Lea Fortier of Kingsland, Ga., Ashley Fortier of Savannah, Ga. and Jesse and Max Ludwig of South Portland; numerous Fortier, Sullivan and Coury nieces and nephews and stepchildren Mark Doyon, Steve Doyon and Debbie Doyon Berube.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Roselle Coury Fortier, who died in 1975; his granddaughter, Michele N. Fortier; his second wife, Janette Wood Fortier; five Fortier brothers and one sister and eight Coury brothers and sisters-in-law.