L. Albert Fortune
October 1, 1915 ~ May 12, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Albert Fortune passed away at the age of 97 years on May 12, 2013, after a long and fulfilling life.
He was born in Old Fort, NC, the eldest child of S.J. Fortune and Mary Haworth Fortune and grew up in West Asheville. He graduated from Houghton College and then served as the Communications Officer on the destroyer Lewis Hancock during World War II in the Pacific. After the war, he returned to Asheville with his wife, Lina, and son, Larry. He succeeded his father in Fortune's Hardware and operated that business for thirty years.
He built one of the first homes in Malvern Hills in 1951 where he lived until his death. Fortune helped found the West Asheville Business Association; and he was an active member of Central United Methodist Church for many years.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Clara Gallimore, Emily Baldwin and Beverly Chirtos and his wife of fifty years, Lina Fortune. He is survived by his son Larry, daughter-in-law, Jeanne, grandsons David and Joe, and three great grandchildren; he is also survived by his daughter, Marie, and daughter-in-law, Anne.
Services and interment at Green Hills Cemetery will be private.
Memorials may be made to Heart Path Cardiac Rehab Program, PO Box 5363, Asheville, NC 28813-9801.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
My dad and I used to go to Fortunes Hardware for everything we needed.
I can remember riding by Mr. Fortunes home in Malvern Hills and seeing how he had it all done-up for Christmas every year.
His business was one of the last of its kind… He could tell us exactly where to go to find something in the store, and I always appreciated that. I was loyal to his business after he sold out, and continued working for the new owners.
The closing was the end of an era.
RIP, sir. I will miss you.
I had the honor of working for Mr.Fortune from 1975 through 1980. Sam Hensley got me the job when I was 15 years old. Mr.Fortune gave the the oportunity to gain knowledge of working on and repairing everything from his Lawn Boy mowers to all the rental equipment. Never will forget driving the red Chevy delivery van and working for Fortunes Hardware. I have thought of him often and appreciate what he instilled in me as a young man. I will miss him for sure. My thoughts and prayers to all his family,he was a great man. Thanks to Mr.Fortune for so much.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PASSING OF MR FORTUNE I KNOWN HIM FOR YEARS FROM THE STORE IN WEST ASHEVILLE I WOULD SEE HIM AT HEART PATH WE WOULD TALK HE ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING ME HE WAS A GREAT PERSON HE WILL BE MISSED AT HEART PATH GOD BLESS THE FAMILY
Albert’s Family, I am so sorry to hear that you’ve lost Albert. He was a real gentleman and friend, as well as in my family (I was Hal Fortune’s cousin). He was so good to Lina, and was a good neighbor to us all in Malvern Hills. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Jane Anne
Rest in Peace Mr. Fortune. You will be greatly missed.
To Mr. Fortune’s family,
My thoughts are with you. Mr. Albert Fortune was a pillar of the West Asheville community for so many years. He was an inspiring example, always kind and thoughtful– a real gentleman who extended himself to help others. May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
Marie,Anne,Larry and family also Theresa,
Thank you for keeping me informed about Albert. I called Dick Haworth’s widow, Florence and told her. I will send a copy of the obituary to Albert(Bud)Haworth in Il. He, Clara M. and I are the three remaining grandchildren of Zimri and Sibyl Haworth. My love and prayers are with your family as you adjust to life with loving memories of Albert.
Marilynn Bell
What a WONDERFUL SOUL. Albert was such a joy to be around. Always upbeat and encouraging. He will be and has been missed (Fortunes Hardware). If you ever had something that needed repair and Albert didn’t have it in stock he might spend 2 hours helping you fix it with .25 cents worth of parts, but by George when you left his store it worked. What a GREAT MAN who I know meant so much to so many. He will be missed, but I am happy for him since he is back with his beloved Lina! Way to Go Albert!
Mr. Fortune was one of the finest men I’ve known. He was so helpful when we bought our first house in W. Asheville back in ’72. He always took time to give me tips on the best way to handle all my home improvement projects (I think he felt sorry for me). He will be missed by all who knew him and his passing leaves a void in our community.
Our sincere condolences are extended to Marie and Larry. May God provide solace to you and your families.
So very sad to learn this news. Larry and Jeanne and Marie and Anne, please accept our condolences. We will miss our heartfelt conversations on the phone, our rich reflections on family and lunches and laughs with your dad. jimmie gilliam and geri grossman (Buffalo family)
Marie and Family. I remember you well from Lee Edwards Marie. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the passing of your Father.
Albert lived his life like his signature for a number of years:
‘DANCE like no one is watching
SING like no one is listening
LOVE like you have never been hurt before
LIVE like each day is your last’ It was the last line, which he did with such positive energy which inspires and is our memory of him.
I’m so sorry about Mr. Fortune’s passing. I always enjoyed delivering his Fed Ex packages (until 2008) and talking with him about gardening and life. Mr. Fortune is part of greatest generation the world has ever known and will be missed a lot.
Larry & Jeanne – my thoughts are with you. Love, Margi
We were so lucky to share a few Christmases in Asheville with Albert and the family. We will treasure the memories always. Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. We feel blessed to have met Albert and spending some time visiting with him here at the lake.
The Frantz Family
Fortunes Hardware brings back so many fond memories of growing up in W. Asheville….Sincerest Condolences.
I was honored to have known Albert from being his customer at Fortune’s Hardware. I always knew that I could buy $2 worth of hardware and get $50 worth of advice. I have appreciated recently having lunch with he and his Nephew James Baldwin. He was truly the unofficial Mayor of West Asheville and the big box stores cannot replace the service that he dispensed. He will be missed as a man of honor
Marie
You will be in my prayers. I have so many memories of your family growning up and Mr Fortune has a special place among them. My mother worked for him for a few years as well . He will be missed by many.
Wonderful memories of walking up Brevard Rd. to go to Fortunes…….
Mr. Fortune was a fixture in all the years of my life growing up. He always knew exactly what you needed when you would come to him with a problem, such a knowledgeable and nice man.In these later years seeing occasionaly helped me to retain positive memories of Growing up in West Asheville. Mrs Fortune was my Third Grade Teacher I loved them both.We were so very lucky to have this man and woman in all our lives.Thank you Mr.and Mrs.Fortune.
We remember Albert Fortune during our time as pastor in his church. He was a strong leader and father of one of our favorite youth then, Marie. He rests in peace. All is well.
Marie,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I enjoyed talking politics with him on his last visit to Seattle. Recently, we were in touch by email. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Mr Fortune was just a good man and always helpful to me
Albert may be gone but he will never be forgotten. He was a great teacher and a good friend. He will forever be in my heart.
He was a lovely man, so kind and such a gentleman. We were privileged to know him through the Dillinghams – Theresa is Joan’s first cousin. He will be missed by many.
Uncle Albert was awesome!! I remember playing at Fortune’s Hardware Store while he worked and talked to my mom ( Beverly Jo ). He always made me feel special. He will be missed very much.
Marie,
Roger and I just heard about the passing of your dad. We are sorry for your loss and wish you to know how much we respected and admired your father. He was always so friendly to us. Mr. Fortune was a great man.