Obituary of Kenneth G. Fortini

Kenneth G. Fortini, age 67, a longtime resident of Duxbury, MA passed away suddenly after a fall on Friday, June 5th, 2020. 

Visitation with COVID-19 restrictions will be held at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, MA on Monday, June 15 at 4-8pm. On Tuesday, June 16 at 11:30am, there will be a brief outdoor graveside ceremony held at Mayflower Cemetery, 774 Tremont St, Duxbury, MA; all are welcome.

Ken was born on January 8th, 1953 to Barbara Fortini (née Osborne) and Paul H. Fortini in Milton, MA; he was raised in Quincy and then Braintree, MA. He graduated from Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA in 1971 and went on to graduate from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY in 1975. He became one the first graduates to earn the interdisciplinary degree called Urban Studies. His education combined elements of political science, economics, history, urban geography, and philosophy. While at Fordham, he volunteered with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC); he helped as a tenant organizer amid the burning Bronx, fighting for tenants’ rights and creating better living conditions for vulnerable people. 

After a brief stint in Duluth, Minnesota where he and his high school buddies established Boston Submarine Sandwiches, the first sub shop in Minnesota, he went on to work as an Investment Advisor and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) for over 40 years. He guided his clients’ current and future financial needs and goals and felt honored to be a part of their lives. He served on the board of Massasoit Community College for 10 years, believing that accessible education unlocks opportunities. 

Ken loved to travel all over the world where he relished meeting new people and sampling new cuisine. He supported local arts and cultural events throughout his life, most recently including those at The Spire in Plymouth, MA. He was a longtime Red Sox season ticket holder in section 35 at Fenway Park, cheered on the Patriots, played tennis at Archbishop Williams, joined the fencing team at Fordham, and enjoyed playing golf. He was proud of his children and delighted in his grandchildren. He taught his kids how to brew craft beer (before it was trendy) and he shared his eclectic range of music with his kids, ranging from Jimmy Cliff to James Taylor.

He is preceded in death by his son Paul S. Fortini. He is survived by: his daughter Kristina A. Fortini of Providence, RI; his daughter Lisa F. Watts, her husband Ellis Watts, and their children Curtis and Olivia of Medford, MA; his former wife Kathleen Fortini of Plymouth, MA; his close friend Debi Cramer of Plymouth, MA; and his beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Coco.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) or the Massasoit Community College Foundation, Inc.