Ascension County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Fortier, James J. - August 16, 1914
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer.00@gmail.com November 28, 2021, 11:14 pm


source: The Donaldsonville Chief. (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current,
August 22, 1914, page 2


A Good Citizen Gone. - There has been removed from the activities of life one of 
the most respected and highly esteemed citizens of this community, a gentleman 
noted for his gallantry and good works. James J. Fortier is no more. After an 
illness of several weeks, the recurrent attack of a malady which carried him so 
near to the shadow of the valley of death some months ago, he passed away at his 
home in Chetimaches street at 10:05 o'clock last Sunday forenoon, aged fifty-
four years, nine months and eight days. Throughout the entire period of his 
prostration he received the ministrations of the most skilled physicians and was 
tenderly nursed by kindly and loving hands, but to no avail, as the insidious 
disease had taken too firm a hold upon him and gradually sapped his life away, 
resisting all efforts to stay its ravages. The end came to him peacefully and 
painlessly, with members of his family and intimate friends grouped about his 
bedside to bid his fluttering spirit farewell - a fitting close to a life of 
honorable achievement and faithful observance of the most exalted precepts of 
humanity.

Mr. Fortier was born in the suburb of Donaldsonville known as Faubourg la Pipe, 
and resided in this community all his life. For more than thirty-five years he 
had been employed as head bookkeeper and confidential clerk in the office of 
Messrs. B. Lemann & Bro., and during all this time the relations existing 
between him and his employers were of the most pleasant and friendly character. 
When he was taken ill the individual members of the Lemann firm showed him the 
utmost consideration, and every resource at their command was employed in an 
effort to prolong his life and effect a cure of the malady from which he 
suffered. Their exertions in his behalf were untiring and unsparing, and 
testified to the high degree of esteem in which they held him and the sincerity 
of their appreciation of his long term of services in their employ.

For many years Mr. Fortier represented his ward in the common council of 
Donaldsonville, in which capacity his good judgment and sound advice carried 
much weight and earned for him the respect and confidence of his colleagues and 
fellow-citizens. He had served as secretary-treasurer of the Donaldsonville Ice 
Company since the organization of that corporation, was a member of the board of 
trustees of Ascension Council No. 1087, Knights of Columbus, and filled the 
position of treasurer of Ascension Tent No. 38, Knights of the Maccabees of the 
World, until the abolition of that office.

Deceased was a man who commanded the esteem and respect of everybody, by reason 
of his probity, high sense of honor and courteous treatment of his fellowmen. To 
an attractive personality with which nature had endowed him, an excellent 
education and extensive reading each added a part in enriching a mind naturally 
keen and intellectual, so that few men were more accomplished conversationalists 
or more cheerful and genial companions. As a citizen he was dutiful; as a friend 
he was loyal, and as a husband and father he excelled in his devotion to his 
home and loved ones. In the death of James Fortier Donaldsonville has lost one 
of its most useful citizens, a man whose memory may well be enshrined in the 
hearts of his host of friends who knew him and appreciated his worth. To his 
family he leaves the glorious heritage of a good name, an honest and upright 
life - far more precious than riches of gold or silver, more enduring than 
monuments of marble or tablets of bronze.

his remains were tenderly laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery Monday forenoon, 
after a solemn requiem high mass at Ascension Church. rev. Benedict Stetter 
conducted the impressive services, assisted by Novitiate Joseph Boudreaux, and 
the number of those who laid aside their personal and business cares and came to 
pay the last sad tribute of respect to their deceased friend bore the strongest 
possible testimony to his wide popularity and his worth as a citizen. Fragrant 
flowers covered his casket, and many a tear glistened upon these mute but 
beautiful tokens of love and sympathy as the portal of the tomb closed upon his 
eternal sleeping place.

Mr. Fortier is survived by his devoted wife, whose loving care and self-
sacrificing devotion to him throughout their married life and during the period 
of his last illness was a most touching example of conjugal affection. So 
unceasing were her attentions that she finally broke down under the strain and 
was compelled to take to bed herself, but even then her constant thought was of 
her stricken mate and she pleaded with those about her to be allowed to return 
to his bedside - a ministering angel to the very last. Two sons, Dr. James P. 
Fortier, of Thibodaux, and Leon Fortier, of Shreveport, and a young daughter, 
Jeanne, are also left to mourn the loss of this good man, with two brothers, 
Edgar Fortier, of Donaldsonville, and Felix Fortier, of Faubourg la Pipe.

Much has been taken from the heart-broken wife, the distressed children, 
brothers, and large circle of relatives and friends; but much is left. The 
Christian's undying hope and fadeless memories are still theirs. The battle of 
life over, the trials and tribulations of mortality behind him, he has gone to 
his last reward, a kindly, courteous, honorable gentleman.
 - Peace to his knightly soul!



Additional Comments:
NOTE- www.findagrave.com memorial # 214595541


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