Rene R. Fortin, 75, of Manchester died Saturday, September 29, 2018 with his loving family by his side.

Born in Manchester on May 27, 1943, he was the son of Laurent and Simonne (Cote) Fortin. He was a graduate of St. Marie High School, class of 1961. He attended St. Anselm College and served in the US Air Force National Guard from 1963 until 1969. He married his wife, Ruth (Gravel) Fortin in 1963.
Rene dedicated most of his career to the auto body and towing industry. Joining the New Hampshire Towing Association just after its creation in 1972, he served 43 years as its President. He also had a broad regional impact on the industry as President of Conference of Northeast Towing Association and was a board member of the Towing and Recovery Association of America. He was recently inducted into the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, TN on September 15th of this year. He was equally humbled and honored by the experience. Rene was employed at a handful of body shops in southern NH, most recently sharing his talents and insights at National Wrecker Service in Portsmouth.

His commitments outside of work included time supporting former Boy Scout Troop 113 of Goff’s Falls, including over a decade as Scoutmaster. He received the Daniel Webster Council/Rockhill District Award of Merit for outstanding service to the community. He immersed himself fully into his interests and his family.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, family members include a son, Roger Fortin of Brewer, ME; a daughter, Barbara Richard and her husband Rob of Bangor, ME; four grandchildren, Christina and Jennifer of Colorado, Alex and Kimberly of Maine; his brother, Richard Fortin and wife Holly of Snowville, NH; his mother-in-law, Yvette Gravel of Manchester; several aunts, nieces, cousins and many, many cherished friends.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Laurette Fortin.

Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, corner of North St, will be Wednesday from 2 to 8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 4th at 10 am in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in St. Augustin Cemetery, So Beech St, Manchester.

Donations may be made in his memory to the NHTA earmarked for training and education fund at: NHTA, PO Box 5438, Manchester, NH 03108-5438, or at https://nhtowingassociation.org/ or to ITRHFM Wall of the Fallen Survivor Fund which is dedicated to the families of tower’s who died in the line of service at: ITRHFM, 3315 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37408 or at https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/survivor-fund.
To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.

Ralph Cresta

National Wrecker

295 West Rd

Portsmouth NH 03861

Office 603-436-3200

Fax 603 433-1256