Ercise (Archie) Ortolan

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Archie Ortolan announce his passing on November 30th, 2021 - 67 days shy of his 100th Birthday.

Archie was born in Fort William on February 5, 1922 to Umberto and Maria Ortolan.  He lived in Fort William all his life and after school joined the army.  Archie proudly served his country during WWII, stationed with the “Brockville Rifles”.

Archie met the love of his life Dolores Hagglund at Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio.  They both loved dancing, especially ballroom dancing.  It didn’t take any time at all before they swept each other off their feet.  Whenever Archie and Dolores danced everyone watched - admiring them as they floated across the dance floor.  They married in 1959, honeymooned in Banff National Park absorbing the majestic scenery.  One of their favourite memories from their honeymoon was the beautiful “Three Sisters Mountains”.
 
By 1969 Archie and Dolores had three beautiful daughters (“three sisters”) of their own - their lives were blessed. The only word to describe their philosophy of life, relationship and marriage is “Love” – “Unconditional Love”.  Family was everything to Archie and he made sure he recorded day to day family life with his 8mm video camera – sometimes almost blinding everyone with the bright lights on Christmas morning.  He amassed quite the collection of film over the years and loved to bring out the projector and head down memory lane.  Archie made everything fun, sometimes off to Chippewa in the summer for rides and cotton candy, or tobogganing in the winter.  Archie could spend hours at the fair playing games of chance trying to win the “big prizes" for his girls - and he was good at it. Every trip to the fair brought smiles from his girls when he would walk through the door with the BIGGEST toy ever. He loved making his daughters happy.  His home was open and all were welcomed.  He was the best host and loved to entertain.   He was proud to share his traditional Italian Bean Soup with everyone and ensured that this treasured recipe was passed to his family.

Archie was a professional driver, in his younger years working as a concrete driver with Norshore Ready Mix, and a taxi driver for over 40 years, retiring at the age of 74 years.   He worked hard all his life and he was proud of it.

Archie enjoyed watching sports like baseball and curling.  He LOVED the Toronto Blue Jays, always waiting for another “win”.  He loved to putter around the house and the yard, but gardening was his passion. He continued to garden into his 90’s and shared his bounty with neighbours, friends and family.
 
Archie was a quiet man, of few words, who enjoyed the simple things in life.  One of his quotes was “in life when you do nothing - you get nothing”.  He meant you have to care, you have to share, you have to help, and you have to work hard.

Archie was pre-deceased by grandson Kroy in 2007 and his wife Dolores in 2010.  He is survived by daughters Carol (John), Andrea, Charlene (Jim), grandson Johnathon, sister Adeline and numerous family members.

Visitation will be held at Harbourview Funeral Centre on Tuesday December 7, 2021 at 11 a.m.  Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m.  Proof of double vaccination and photo I.D. will be required to attend.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  A book of condolence may be signed at www.jenkensfuneral.ca

Dad we know you and mom are Dancing in heaven