Michael Paul Fortner

Michael Paul Fortner, age 70, passed on to our Heavenly Father Wednesday, July 11 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Michael is survived by his wife, Kathleen Fortner and four children, of whom he was proud: Jesse Fortner (Charlotte, NC), Molly Fortner (Charlotte, NC), Rose Fortner Le (Charlotte, NC) and Jacob Fortner (Cincinnati, OH). He leaves behind three grandchildren, Lucas and Leah Nazemzadeh and Michael Le. Michael was a veteran of the US Marines, Sergeant in the Vietnam War, where he received the Cross of Gallantry with Palm & Frame citation in recognition of deeds of valor and heroic conduct while in combat. He was a fervent blood donor and steward of the environment. He was born November 23, 1947 in Covington, KY, the oldest son of nine children to Paul Justice Fortner (deceased) and Eileen Eleanor Mulcahey (deceased). He is survived by his eight siblings, whom he cherished deeply: Carolyn Rennekamp (Independence, KY), Steven Fortner (Mineral, VA ) in, Paul Fortner (Florence, KY), Mary Rafizadeh (Edgewood, KY), John Fortner (Visalia, KY), Jeff Fortner (Independence, KY), Theresa Jaafari (Crestview Hills, KY) and James Fortner (Crestview Hills, KY). As a child, he grew a love for theatre and a strong faith in Christ while attending Covington Latin School and St. Pius X Seminary. He earned his BA in Theatre at Thomas More College, where he met his wife Kathy and went on to complete an MA at University of South Carolina and MFA at Florida State University. He touched countless lives over the years teaching and directing theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Tallahassee, Florida, Sherman, Texas, Orlando, Florida, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Memphis, Tennessee and Morgantown, West Virginia. Janine Klein, a former actress of Michael, commemorated him well by saying, “You always wanted Michael Fortner’s love and approval. He was always on the go, creating new ideas and solutions. He loved every single person that walked through the doors of Civic Theatre and he provided us with a sense of purpose and true community. He believed in us when we could not, he pushed you to be better and to try harder. He loved theater and he loved us theater geeks. He made outsiders feel important and needed the minute he met them. Michael was a genius of sorts. He was the father to compassionate, loving children.” Continuing the legacy of Michael Fortner's artistic leadership with the Civic Theatre of Central Florida, Orlando Repertory Theatre (Orlando REP) has a dedicated Scholarship Fund for its Youth Academy of camps and classes to ensure all young people have access to the magic of theatre and theatre education. Donations to Orlando Repertory Theatre's Scholarship Fund can be made in Michael's memory at https://www.orlandorep.com/donate/ (any gift made in memory of Michael Fortner will be restricted to scholarship use) or by check (mail to: Orlando Repertory Theatre, Attn: Development Department / Scholarship Fund, 1001 E. Princeton St. Orlando FL 32803) In lieu of flowers, donations are also encouraged to: The Alzheimer's Association Michael Fortner Memorial Tribute: http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions;jsessionid=00000000.app218a?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=486959&NONCE_TOKEN=9B2F74EAA0D7E1D9BE5E71D1B5FCBB66 Levine and Dickson Hospice House - Huntersville: https://hpccr.thankyou4caring.org/ Learn more about the life of Michael here: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1991-09-08/entertainment/9109060291_1_fortner-civic-theatre-edyth http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-07-11/lifestyle/0310270183_1_fortner-civic-theatre-civic-theater/2 Visitation and viewing will be held at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home at 1111 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 on Wednesday, July 18 from 10-11 AM followed by a burial service at Salisbury National Cemetery 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, NC 28144 at 1 PM.