Mark Ramon Fortier

Mark R. Fortier of Yakima died peacefully April 7, 2015 in Yakima, WA. Mark was born in Moxee, WA to Amie & Mary (Mullooly) Fortier on October 25, 1931. He attended Holy Rosary Grade School in Moxee and graduated from Marquette High School (Yakima) in 1949. While at Marquette he participated in activities including football, glee club, and debate. He also served as student body Vice President his senior year.

In 1951, Mark married Dolores Rouleau, whom he had known since high school. That same year, he began his service in the Air Force serving on active duty during the Korean War. Upon discharge in 1953, Mark returned to farming at the family ranch in the Moxee Valley. An unfortunate automobile accident changed the path of his vocation in 1953, from farmer to attorney. He completed his AA degree at YVC in 1954 and his undergraduate business degree at Seattle University in 1956. Afterward, Mark enrolled in the University of Washington Law School and graduated in 1959, with his Juris Doctor. Also during these years, Mark and Dolores were raising four children.

Upon graduation from the Law School, he returned to Yakima, to practice law. He worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney at the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office from 1959 - 1964. A fifth child was born at this time in Yakima. Mark was elected Justice of the Peace, serving as Municipal Judge for the City of Yakima from 1965-1967. Thereafter, he was in private legal practice with Nashem, Prediletto, & Fortier from 1967 - 1970, Fortier & Baker from 1970 - 1982 and as a sole practitioner from 1982 to his retirement in 2013. His practice included corporate law, insurance claims, construction disputes, family law, and arbitrations. In his later years of practice, he focused almost exclusively on wills, trusts, and probates. Over the years, he helped many small businesses get their start by providing advice and initial legal assistance. Throughout his years in practice, Mark continued representing many of these same businesses.

Mark served as a member of the Yakima County Planning Commission from 1976 - 1986 and he was a member of the Kiwanis Club from 1969 - 1985. He served on the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Committee in 1969 and the Judicial Qualifications Committee from 1989 to 1993. He was President of the Yakima County Bar from 1987 - 1988.

Mark enjoyed family outings to the beach and mountains, boating, sports fishing, hunting, baseball (Red Sox) and football. Mark loved a good game of cards, especially bridge and poker. He and Dolores were part of a social card playing group for many years and Mark played senior’s bridge until recently when his health began to decline. Mark had a distinctive speaking and singing voice and he enjoyed music and reading. He also enjoyed horse racing at Yakima Meadows and Longacres and was a candidate for appointment to the Washington Horse Racing Commission. Mark was active in local politics. Both he and Dolores served as local Precinct Committeepersons, for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bob, Jim, and Dick; his sister, Lorraine (Sauve); brothers-in-law Berney Turner, Connie Whittle and Pat Sullivan; and sisters in-law Darlene Whittle and Dorothy Fortier. In addition to his wife Dolores of 63 years, survivors include his children and their spouses, Amy Fortier (Michael Bratton), James Fortier (Denice Fischer-Fortier), Laurie Horner (Kelly), Ray Fortier (Liz Weets), and Barry Fortier (Amy), as well as grandchildren Megan, Ryan, Laura, and Cari, and great-grandchildren Chloe and Ali. Other survivors include his sister Shirley Turner, brother Alan Regimbal (Connie), brothers-in-law Ken Sauve and Bill Rouleau (Norma), and sisters in-law Yvonne Sullivan and Betty Fortier.

Private gravesite services will be held at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Moxee, WA. A memorial mass and remembrance of his life will be held at Holy Family Church on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are encouraged to attend. Please bring a story to share.

Our family would like to thank Mark’s home caretaker, Mike, and Dr. Gabriel Lascar, for their care. In addition, we would like to thank the staff and professionals at Memorial Hospital and at Cottage in the Meadow for their services and care for our father during his last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Cottage in the Meadow or the charity of your choice.

To share a memory of Mark, visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.