Normand L. Fortier

Dr. Normand L. Fortier (known to all who loved him as Pepere) passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9th at the age of 94.

Born in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, Normand grew up in West Springfield, Massachusetts alongside his sister Claire. After graduating from high school, college, pharmacy school, two years in the army and finally BU medical school he began his career in hematology. Norm started his professional career at Brown University Medical School specializing in Hematology and eventually became the Director of Hematology and the Director of the Blood Bank at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester while also teaching as a Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Normand was a renowned expert in the field of Hematology, traveling the world to hold seminars with his medical peers on the subject. Normand had a passion for medical research and was an integral member of the team that first developed the techniques used to unlock the ability to freeze and store blood, a capability that is still vital today.

While Norm was proud but humble when speaking of his accomplishments in the medical field, he was unashamedly boastful about his biggest success in life - his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren. Normand married Joan in 1958, and they together raised four children - starting in Milton, Holbrook, Braintree and ultimately settling in Holden, Massachusetts. Norm and Joan's second home was in Brewster, a joyous place for them - gardening, completing the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle, working on his computer and all with a cold beer and dish of mixed nuts. He and Joan loved taking long walks on the "flats" of Paine's Creek in Brewster. Norm was especially fond of his eight grandchildren - Meg. Maddie, Julia, Emma, Ben, Ellie, Max, and Samantha - and were a frequent staple at the events in their lives. He loved attending their soccer, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cross country and track meets. He was not shy to offer advice to those participating. He loved spending every moment with them - taking endless trips for ice cream, offering coaching tips in sports, providing helpful advice in life, and giving lessons on the world around us (why do the tides go out so far? Why is horseshoe crab blood blue? What makes the duck-billed platypus so unique?). After meeting Norm, there was never a stranger who didn't know his grandkid's names.

Norm was predeceased by his wife Joan of 65 years and leaves behind his daughter Joann Dupre and her husband Stephen of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, his daughter Denise Williams and her husband Tim of Newtonville, Massachusetts, his son Paul Fortier and his wife Martha of Bremen, Maine, and his son Mark Fortier and his wife Rena of Chappaqua, New York along with all his cherished grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Norm's life and legacy will be held privately among the family.