Roger Fortin

WALES – Roger Fortin, 80, a resident of Wales, passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022. He was born April 28, 1941, in Waterville, Maine the son of Leo Fortin and Luella (Carter) Fortin. He graduated from Lawrence High School, class of 1959. On August 28, 1960, in Fairfield, he married Linda Robinson, they shared a wonderful life together for 54 years raising their family. She passed away in 2014. This Valentine’s Day we celebrate the lives and legacy of sweethearts Roger and Linda Fortin who are now reunited. While living in Connecticut, Roger had a career at United Nuclear and Dow Chemical, and Linda became the mother of three children. Their love of farming and family would draw them back to Maine where they started Fortin’s Farm Market in Fairfield. Roger raised the produce and Linda sold it in the market. This led to their next farming venture in Wales, Maine which they named Little Alaska Farm. Roger and Linda were both committed advocates of regenerative farming, soil health, and a respect for the land on which they earned their living. They were staunch supporters of sustainable agriculture and opposed the spreading of sludge, use of glyphosate chemicals and genetically modified plants and seeds. Many will remember the efforts of Roger and Linda during the milk strike of the 1980’s in which they worked to protect the Maine agricultural economy. As pioneers of grass-fed farming, they transitioned their dairy operation into an intensive, rotational grazing beef farm, later opening the Little Alaska Farm Market. One of their greatest achievements was being featured nationally in Stockman Grass Farmer Magazine for their sustainable farm practices and nutrient-dense food products. As school board member, 4-H leaders and foster parents, Roger and Linda touched many lives in the community which meant so much to them. Their family farm legacy continues as the Amish community stewards the soil and raises their families on the fields of Little Alaska Farm. Roger and Linda’s family includes daughter Patricia Varney (David), sons, David Fortin (Christine) and Michael Fortin (Melissa), eight grandchildren, Katrina Guignard (Charles), Warren Varney (Ruth), Margaret Rudolph (David), Chelsea Hagadorn (Bryant), John Fortin, Adam Fortin, Matthew Fortin, Isaac Fortin, and three great-grandsons. Messages of condolence may be made to: www: finleyfuneralhome.com.Visiting hours will be held from 1–4 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at the BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine. Private interment will be at a later date.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Song Bird Farm in Unity, Maine, Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis, 142 Stevens Road, Unity ME 04988, as they are victims of PFOS contamination resulting from what Roger and Linda considered unethical farming practices. No farms, no food!