Julio J. "JuJu" Fortes, 81, of New Bedford died Thursday January 1, 2004 unexpectedly at home. He was the husband of Hilda (Gibau) Fortes.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone and Marie (Anacleto) Fortes, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Mr. Fortes was a self-employed carpenter for many years, and had also worked at Fairhaven Lumber Company.
Mr. Fortes served in the U.S. Army during World War II, participating in the battles of Northern France and the Rhineland. He was a recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon, the Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Allen Fortes of Pembroke; 7 daughters, Julie Ramos, Marie Frates, Isabel Duarte, Elizabeth Fortes, Sandra Fortes and Sherry Fortes, all of New Bedford, and Alice Miranda of Pawtucket, RI; 3 sisters, Eugenia Fortes of Hyannis, Marion Fortes of New Bedford and Julia Owens of Texas; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Andrew Fortes.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday January 6, 2004 at 9 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Monday evening from 6-9 PM.