Gabriel Fortier Jr.

Jeanerette – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mr. Gabriel “Ga” Fortier Jr., age 86, at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Jody Simoneaux celebrating the Mass.  Entombment will follow at Beau Pre Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held at David’s Funeral Home of Jeanerette on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a recitation of the rosary at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the time of services at 2:00 PM.

“Ga” departed this world from his beautiful home in Jeanerette on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 11:27 AM while he was surrounded by his loving family. Gabriel Aime Fortier Jr. was born into the rich French Acadian Culture that he was so proud of on September 10, 1931. His certificate of Baptism was from St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and this would set a beautiful precedence for an amazing legacy.

He lived in Jeanerette while attending Jeanerette High School and upon graduating from high school he would persevere to obtain a Bachelors Degree from S.L.I. of Lafayette. Now with a bright future ahead of him, Ga would enlist in the United States Air Force and be discharged with honors. When Mr. Gabriel returned home from the military, he was employed by Shell Oil for over a decade. It was right about this time that Ga would meet the love of his life, Mrs. Kay D. Fortier. He would now leave the Oil and Gas Industry to begin his family and enter the financial world where he would remain until his retirement.

Gabriel was gifted with a true servant’s heart as he was a volunteer for the city of Jeanerette and Iberia Parish through organizations such as J.R.D.A, Eagle Point State Park and United Givers Fund. He was a man who stood boldly for his faith and spent over 15 years in perpetual adoration. He was a lifelong member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He also was very proud to have made Cursillo #35 in Prarie Rhonde back in 1968.

Some of his hobbies included hunting, fishing and fellowship at the coffee club. If it flew, swam or crawled, you can bet Ga was hunting for it. Later in life after his retirement, his passion would become hunting alligators.  He loved following his grandchildren and bragging about them and their accomplishments. His solution to solving worldly problems was found at the morning coffee clubs. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the community that he deeply loved.

He is survived by his sons Gabe Fortier III and his wife Celeste of Lafayette, Michel Fortier and his wife Suzanne of Jeanerette, and Francis Fortier and his wife Angela of Opelousas; his grandchildren Cody Fortier and companion Kellie Schneider, Emily Fortier Gautreaux and her husband Bennett, Aimee Fortier, Evan Fortier, Molli Fortier, Lindy Fortier and Gabrielle Fortier.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years Mrs. Kay Durke Fortier, his parents Gabriel Aime Fortier Sr. and his wife Sadie Buteau Fortier and his sister Patricia Fortier Clayton.

Upholding the honor of pallbearers are Cody Fortier, Evan Fortier, Bennett Gautreaux, Pat Napier, Norman Brignac and E. J. Duhon.

Honorary Pallbearers will be The Cooper St. Coffee Club.

The family would like to specially thank his caregivers Cyd Savin, Peggy Boutte, Tina Aucoin, Karlyne Hebert and Alice Thompson.

You can sign our guestbook and offer condolences at davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home of Jeanerette, 400 Provost St.,337-276-5151 will be handling the arrangements.