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Feb 2, 1939 - Oct 27, 2017
Ted Joseph Fortosky      

February 2, 1939 - October 27, 2017

Ted Joseph Fortosky passed away at the Comox Valley Hospital on October 27th, 2017.  Born near Humboldt Saskatchewan, he grew up in Saskatoon.

High school, first year arts and novitiate were spent at St. Mary's College Redemptorist Minor Seminary in Brockville Ontario. He completed his B.A at the University of Saskatchewan and spent 2 years teaching in Toronto.  In 1964 he earned a B.Ed from the U of S and was hired as vice principal for Saskatoon Catholic Schools. From 1966-67, he served as a principal for the next 31 years in various schools, the majority of which were French immersion.  Ted loved the French language and was fluently bilingual. Together with his wife Danielle, he spent 6 months in Paris attending the Sorbonne and carrying out graduate research. He retired in 1998.

Ted was athletic, playing several sports, particularly hockey.  He played many Oldtimers tournaments, one of which took him to Germany.   He loved coaching student teams and taking them on camping trips.  He also loved sailing his boat, The Wind Lord.

Interested in the arts, Ted was involved in theatre productions, taking on the roles of Hamlet and Thomas More in "A Man For All Seasons", as well as directing "Macbeth "and "The Tempest" at the U of S.  For Saskatchewan Homecoming Celebrations in 1971, he directed "Saskatchewan I'm Coming Home", a celebratory musical written by 12 of Danielle's high school students, including over 200 students and adult members of the Saskatoon community.  The musical was invited the following year to open Theatre Canada 1972 winning a top award.

Apart from his accomplishments, what was most important to Ted was his spiritual life. Grounded in his lifelong commitment to daily prayer and meditation, he participated in a Christian Meditation group lead by Fr. Charles Brandt.  He is an active member of Christ the King parish and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel at CFB Comox.  He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and member of Rotary.

Ted is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Danielle, his brothers Vic (Pat) and Arnold, his beloved aunt, Sr. Josie Germaine, NDS, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He is predeceased by his mother and father, Mary and John; his brothers, Kenny and Johnny; sister Marie; sister-in-law Gloria; and nieces Angela and Lynn.

The tributes for Ted all have a common theme, he was a gentle man and a man of integrity, respected by all.  As for Danielle, he meant everything to her. 

We thank all doctors, medical staff, family and friends who have been so kind over the past several weeks as Ted fought an aggressive cancer. 

Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1599 Tunner Drive, Courtenay on Tuesday, November 7th at 11:00 am. 

Donations may be made to the Comox Valley Food Bank and/or BC Cancer Society.



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