Leon Francois "Frank" Fortie(r)

October 19, 1925 - March 3, 2019
Frank was born in Aldina, near Leask, Saskatchewan and died in Invermere, British Columbia at the age of 93. During his youth, he moved multiple times with his family and had many great adventures. He moved to British Columbia in 1938 and spent his adult life there working for the Canadian Pacific Railroad as a railway engineer for 47 years. At work, Frank was known as "Mr. Clean" because he demonstrated his pride in his position by always wearing a tie with pristine white and blue overalls and a jacket.

During his time in the Kooteneys and Vancouver he was also known as "Flash Fortie". He was well known for his great imagination and his storytelling of events passed. Frank had a great passion for photography. Most of his life was lived in the Cranbrook area with some years in Vancouver.

Surviving him are his wife Frances Allen, his son Eddie (Rhonda), his daughter Debbie(Phillip) Bingham, his grandchildren Ryland, Dion (Anyssa), Brianne (Justin) Jacob and Brittany (Ross), his brother Michel (Dorothy) Fortier, his sister-in-law Doreen (Glen) Mainland, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Eudore and Corinne (Pelchat) Fortier; his brother Jean Fortier; his sisters Paula (John) Gerich, Maude (Samuel Naso, and Irma (Walter Pighin), (Lorne) Dagger; granddaughter Rachaelle Bingham; and Lillian Ermacora.

Since his childhood, Frank had a great love for animals, particularly horses, cats, and dogs. He lived a very physically active life, travelling, working, finding new projects, and learning new skills. Frank loved his family deeply, extended members included, and showed this love by helping out in any way he could.

The family would like to especially thank the staff on second & 3rd floor of Cranbrook Regional Hospital. And later the staff at Ivy House in Invermere who gave our Dad such a great care & compassion.

There will be no service at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held for Frank (Leon) Fortie on May 10th, 2019 at the Heritage Inn in Cranbrook from 2-5 pm.