Raymond Paul Fortman

of Clute, TX

August 28, 1950 - July 14, 2022


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Raymond "Ray" Paul Fortman, 71 passed away unexpectedly from complications of Prostate cancer on July 14, 2022.

A loving husband, step-father, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to all his acquaintances, Ray will be remembered for his love of family, outdoor hiking adventures, ultra marathon bicycling, work ethic, honesty and sharp wit. He was a kind gentle soul who loved a good political debate and the banter between two prospective sides. Ray was a member of an elite group of hikers known as the Adirondack 46ers who complete hikes of all the high peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. He was also an Ultra-Marathon bicyclist who competed in many events across the country. One of his favorite rides was an event that started in Boston, Massachusetts and went to Montreal, Canada and back to Boston. He rode many events consisting of various distances from 100km to 750km. Ray rode in many 24 hour events including one in Michigan. He hosted his own 24 hour event in Saratoga, New York called the Saratoga 24 whereas riders rode as many miles as they could on a closed course for a 24 hour period. After retirement Ray became interested in photography posting many beautiful photos on Facebook to share with friends. He also became an avid boating enthusiast owning two antique boats which he enjoyed at his summer home on Lake Ontario.

Raymond was born August 28, 1950 in Tonawanda, New York to Phyllis and Theodore Fortman. As a young child he lived in Poughkeepsie, New York for several years later returning to Tonawanda, New York graduating high school in 1968 from Tonawanda High School. After high school Ray attended SUNY Albany in Albany, New York graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Upon graduation Ray remained in the Albany area working at various retail establishments including Almart and Montgomery Wards. In 1984 Ray joined Sysco Foods in Albany, New York where he first worked at their cash and carry store as a manager, eventually being promoted to an office position where he was in charge of inbound transportation. In 2005 Ray was again promoted to a corporate position with Sysco in Houston, Texas where he was Director of Transportation Operations Support until he retired in June 2014. During his employment with Sysco Corporation he lived in Katy, Texas with a vacation home in Surfside Beach Texas. Upon his retirement Ray resided in Surfside Beach and Clute, Texas until his passing.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis Kumlander and Theodore Fortman. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Deborah (Helmerci) Fortman, a step-daughter, Corinne Donah and her partner Glacy Page of Laporte, Texas, a brother, Douglas Fortman and his wife Katherine of Pattersonville, New York, a sister, Kathy (Fortman) Murphy and her husband Robert of Beaver Creek, Ohio. He is also survived by 4 nieces and 2 nephews plus 3 grand-nieces and 1 grand-nephew.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the discretion of his family at their Lake Ontario New York home.

Donations may be made in his Honor to the American Cancer Society / Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.

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16 Condolence(s)
Edwin Wehnau
Houston, TX
Thursday, August 11, 2022

Ray hired me Sysco Albany Nov '94; Great Supervisor, Truly Sincere Friend, Daily at Work, Following him on BmB Cycling Races, ADK 540 mile race, Working Saratoga 24hr race,, ALL Were Special Times! Deb, Please Reach 0ut lf l can Help, You Were Great Friends Welcomed & Hosted Me in June '05 for My Sysco Corp lnterview, Ray ls N0T Suffering, We Will Meet Again, RIP My Friend

Joan Tracy
Harrisburg, PA
Monday, August 8, 2022

Ray was a kind and thoughtful man....he will be greatly missed at the Lake. Every time I climb a mountain, I will think of him.
God Bless,
Sincerely,
Joan Tracy 11863 and 11857 Road 472, Dexter, N.Y.

Richard and Kathleen Peterson
Spring Branch, TX
Friday, July 29, 2022

What a unique individual! While our friendship came later in our lives as couples at the beach, the Ray(and Deb) we came to know already had a history that was shared usually with a Finger Lake wine and of course a story told at great length and detail. The effort you put into your life was admired.
You are already missed but will never be forgotten. Meet you on the flipside!!

ROBERT J KOCH
AURORA, CO
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

I am so sorry to hear of Ray's death from prostate cancer. I probably hadn't seen him since college in Albany 1972. I always liked reading his political rants on Facebook and marveled at how much better he was at putting thoughts into words than I was. He once reached out to me to see if I was ok because I hadn't posted anything on FB in awhile because of my car accident. I miss him.

Grant and Kate Helmerci
Malta, NY
Tuesday, July 26, 2022

We're so sorry aunt Deb. Ray has always been a great guy and the girls and us will miss him.

Frend Severson
Houston, TX
Wednesday, July 20, 2022

May loving memories ease your loss and bring you comfort.
Ray will be greatly missed but his warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit will be remembered forever.

Jared
Monte Rio, CA
Wednesday, July 20, 2022

I'm so sorry, Ray was always great to me and my family, I will miss him.

Edwin Garcia
Palmetto, FL
Wednesday, July 20, 2022

My closest friend You helped me become a better man. I will miss you.

Grant And Yi Helmerci
Watertown, NY
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Ray was quite the guy. Always positive and smiling, even when he was on one of his Ray Rants. He led a great life and put the cherry on the top of the cake when he married you. We will all miss him. The world needs more Ray's.

Charles Robuck
Clute, TX
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

So sorry. Call on us for any help we can give.

Jack R Beard, Jr
Angleton, TX
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Armond DeLuca
Riverview, FL
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

I always looked forward to working with Ray at Sysco,he was a gentleman and a great friend,his wit was always welcome in stressful times.

Rest in peace my friend.

Armond DeLuca

John Pettinelli
Lake George, NY
Monday, July 18, 2022

Rest in peace my friend. I will miss our many conversations. You will be missed my friend.

Audrey Christiansen
Penn Yan, NY
Monday, July 18, 2022

Terry and I are going to miss Ray. We only wish we would have known him longer. RIP Ray.

Bob King
Yarnell, AZ
Monday, July 18, 2022

Adios Amigo it's been a pleasure

Scott Thetford
Friendswood, TX
Monday, July 18, 2022

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!