Dear Bob, Nell and family,We were so very sorry to hear about Bruce. We are thinking of you and praying for your family. Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life...whoever believes in me will never die.In Christ's love,Hollis and Betty Nicholsand Pam, Julie and RhondaColorado Springs, Colorado

Mr. & Mrs. Fortney:I had the pleasure of knowing Bruce since grade school and then when we reconnected as adults. I'll cherish the times he'd come to the house for the Packer games and get togethers. He was one of a kind and such a good friend. My family & I will miss him dearly. My heart goes out to all of you. God Bless. Love, Lori & Carm

Bruce will be sorely missed. I enjoyed working with him at Fairbanks and we and many customers will always keep Bruce in our hearts. He made everyday interesting and we will miss that big smile.

To the Fortney family:It's so hard to put into words all of the wonderful memories I have of Bruce over the years. Memories from junior high are of Bruce always picking on me but always with a smile. He made me laugh all of the time. Memories of high school, riding in his fast cars with the stereo on really, really loud. As we became adults, no matter where he moved or I moved, he would always give me a call to just say hi or to tease me about the Cubs!!! Your son, brother, uncle was truly a special, special man. But I don't have to tell you that, you already know. He will be truly missed by all of his friends. We will never forget him.God Bless you all, Coleen Taminger

I still miss Bruce. I'm sure he is rejoicing with our Lord and Savior, but I still miss him.Your brother - Charlie

Mr and Mrs Fortney and Charlie, I was shocked and saddened by the passing of Brucie, as i knew him , i was your neighbor when i was a child, i remember him well and i am sure he grew to be a wonderful man ,I and the rest of the family My Mother Elaine and brother David and sister Judy send you our love from Arizona , where i accomplished my dreams of becoming an Artist, as Bruce always said to me are we still going to be friends when you grow up and become a famous artist !

Charlie, Connie and family. We wanted you to know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We were saddened to hear of your loss. May God be with you and your family in this time of need.In Christ, Rodney and Judy Edwards

Charlie, Connie and family. We were so sadden to hear of the loss of your bother. Please know that we are in prayer for you and your family. If you need anything, please give us a call. May our Savior be of comfort to all of you today and in the days to come. May God bless.

Bruce was one in a million, It always brings a smile to my face when I think of all the great times we had when he and Charlie would come to KY for a visit. He has always and will remain in my heart. Uncle Bob and Aunt Nell you will be in my prayers. I love you all!

Our prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Charlie,I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family in this difficult time.Peace and light, Beth

Dear Charlie, Connie, Bob, Nell, Dianne, Teri and Tim:We are deeply saddened over the sudden loss of Bruce, for we know he was very special to you all and his death leaves a void that only you can fully understand. Being distant at a time like this is difficult. Please know that we are close in thought and prayer. We know that God will give you what you need to face the upcoming weeks and months. Bask in His unlimited love and grace and the love of family and friends.Love to you all,Karen, David, Austin and Krista ColeLouisa, Virginia

I realy didnt know bruce that well but in the short time that i known him he was very helpful. So he will be missed deeply. So to all that lost a friend rember him for the good times you had

bob and Neill we are sorry for your loss,are prayers are with you and the whole family we have talked many times about god and his living word i know this is a difficult time for you and your family,Our thought's and prayers are with you and may god carry through these hard times.

Mr.& Mrs. Fortney,Family & Friends..I too, have come to the online Tribute for Bruce and have read what every one wrote. As each name came up, memories of each of you and Bruce came to mind. How could they not? We were a gang of many, friends forever & a lifetime.I know its been a long time since I have talked or even seen one other, but at this time of the loss of our dear friend Bruce, he still had a way with all of us didn't he? Just look, once again he is bringing us together as we all once were back in HS and all the crazy things we did and the fun,long talks, rides in his car, times at the outdoor theater, sledding at Pets or even going to the Packer game and freezing our butts off! We always had fun, never a dull moment was there.The best thing is, is that we all took care of each other as brothers and sisters on the weekends whenever or where ever we all were. His smile, his laugh, his jokes and his beloved car with the license plates on it. Do you remember what they were? I sure do.I remember helping him in the parking lot of Tremperto get a book report done for a class, so he would pass for the year! Naww, he never read the book but he sought out friends to help get it written and handed in at the end of the day. Yes, he passed! LOLBruce was such a happy go lucky guy every time we were with him.. and that smile. We never knew what was on his mind or what stunt he was going to pull next. He was never hurtful, it was always in fun and most of all he loved his friends and life as it was given to him.We are all blessed to have had him as a friend for as long as we did. Cherish every moment you have but never forget the dear friends that have left a piece of them with you to remember. Just the mention of his name "Bruce" brings a smile to my face and one certain thought or memory comes to mind that you have shared with him. I know it did me. In fact, many came flooding back just seeing all of your names and flashes of the great times we all had even at SunnySide!May God bless each and every one you dear friends. I too, hope that I have left some part of me with you too. I know all of you have with me.Bruce, you have touched my life and as always, you have left a lot of "U" with me. Love you my friend.With Love & Friendship...Jan :~~(Man has never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.God is love. Therefore love. Without distinction, without calculation, without procrastination, love.http://llerrah.com/memories.htmClick here: When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

Uncle Bob, Aunt Neal and Family, I am so sorry for the loss of Bruce. I got to really know him this past year when he came down to see Daddy when he was so sick. All of us kids thought that was so nice of him. My thoughts and prays are with all of you . love, Bennie

Dear Stephen and Casey,I hope you are doing okay. I am sorry about your uncle Bruce. I love you,Krista

Dear Family Of Bruce, I am deeply saddened by your loss. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Bruce was a wonderful young man. I had the pleasure of meeting him during his high school years when my daughter Laura Migliano and he were very close friends. He impressed me as a polite, considerate, happy-go-lucky person and always made me smile. He was so kind to us when we lost Laura in 2004. My heart is aching for you all. He will be missed by all those who knew him. Sincerely, Judy Migliano

VERY SADDENED TO HEAR OF BRUCE'S PASSING.............THOUGHTS TO FAMILYMIKE HOPKINS....SAN ANTONIO, TX

We were sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Dear Uncle Bob, Aunt Nell and family,Words are hard to find that express such sadness. I can't imagine so... I'll try to focus on the happy. When Bruce was down last summer to visit Daddy(Uncle Grant) I picked him up at the airport in Orlando. It had been years since we had seen each other. It took a half a nanosecond for us to recognize we were both Fortneys and time to eat:) Bennie, June, Chuck, Bruce and myself were able to visit with Daddy and each other. I kidded with him about using his GPS everywhere we went while he was down. I assured him I knew where we were and where we were going since I had lived here 46 years. He was with us when Daddy passed. My favorite story was when ya'll came to Fl. one year when Aunt Louise,Uncle Charlie,Dot Dot and GR were down. Charlie, Bruce, Chuck and I took Aunt Louise's new set of golf clubs out played at The Melbourne Golf course. I got hit with a golf ball hard in the forehead and we all had to leave. We got back to the house and realized we had left parts of Aunt Louise's new clubs on the course. We didn't want to tell her so we had to backtrack until we found the missing parts.I am so sad for your sudden loss. I wish I could comfort you in some way. Mary sends her love.Love, Dee Dee

Dear Fortney Family, I don't always do well with speaking how I feel so I am writing you this message to tell you how much I am praying and thinking of you all during this difficult time. Every time I think of Bruce when I am alone I get choked up and still can't believe he is gone. I can only imagine what you all must be going through. Diane, Charlie and Terri, I know how much you all meant to Bruce because when we would get together he would always talk about all of you. How he couldn't wait to see his nieces and nephews and spend time with his sisters and brother. His affection for his family was strong and important to him. Whenever he took a vacation to see one of you he always came back with wonderful stories and I know he loved you all very much. Mr. and Mrs. Fortney...you have been there for him all your lives and I know Bruce had plans to take care of both of you as you get older. He spoke often of that and even though you might not have seen eye to eye on everything, he had such an admiration and love for both of you. The bond he shared with you both, was, and still will be, strong. Bruce was one of my very best friends. I cherish all our memories we share together. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know all of you through Bruce and to see what good, Christian examples you set for him and all of his friends. He will forever be in my heart. All my love to the family. I love you Bruce! Cindy

Mr & Mrs Fortney,My prayers are with you and your family. What I remember most fondly about Bruce was his laugh, it was a very contagious giggle. I have so many wonderful memories of Bruce and cherish every one of them. He was a good friend, one of my best and I will miss him.

Charlie, We were so sad to hear about your brother. Maybe some day we will under stand why they were took from us at a young age. Yours prayers are with you and the rest of the family. GOD BLESS......Steve & Teresa Willoughby

Mr & Mrs. Fortney,We're so sorry for your loss. Bruce was a good friend. I'll remember his mischievous laugh, wickedly quick wit and that beautiful 1970 Camaro. Most of all I remember Bruce's loyalty and concern for those he considered to be his friends and family.Definately one of the Best!Dave & Karen Spence,Tremper HS - Class of 79

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. The memories that we have of growing up together are very special and he will greatly missed. As God has promised, we will all meet in heaven some day.Love,Lorri Nichols-Jackson

My prayers are with you and your family. Bruce will be dearly missed, all the goofy times and laughs we had together when I was younger up till now. I remember these like they were yesterday. Tomorrow will come for all of us, and one day we will be together again.I will miss you!!Love, Shenai

My thoughts are with all you of during this unexpected loss. Even though I didn't get to see Bruce every time I go home, it was always comforting to know that he might show up and was always there. He was my partner in crime since birth. We used to torment the other kids in the crib together. I've even seen pictures of us in the act. Our parents were friends even before we were born and when my father would start another church they would follow along. Bruce and I bonded ever few years and our parents would have to separate us- or try to anyway. When Bruce and I entered the same high school, once again - best friends and troublemakers . He was a big part, the big part of the est time of my life- as were all of you. I will always cherish those crazy formative years that made me who I am today. Without all of you and those great experiences, we would all be lesser people, I believe. I feel very lucky. It's going to be hard to go to the 30th high school reunion knowing that my sidekick won't be there to share the hearty laughter reminiscing about the past we shared.I'm no poet and musical obsessed so a song came to mind immediately It's from Wicked- I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing things that we must learn, and we are led to those who help us most to grow- if we let them and we help them in return, Now I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you,Who can say if I've changed for the better? but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part, so much of me is what I have learned from you , you'll be with me like a handprint on my heart, Now whatever way our story may end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.But because I knew you, I have been changed, for good. I'm glad my parents are going to be there to represent me on Saturday. I'll be thinking of all of you, my good friends and I love you and miss you all very much. I'll miss you Bruce,Your best friend, Kelly

Mr. and Mrs. Fortney,I was shocked and saddened to hear of Bruce's passing. It's been a while since I last saw Bruce but I will always remember him for his infectious laugh, love of fast cars and his strong personal convictions. You always knew if had an opinion, he wasn't afraid to share it and he always stood up for what he believed in. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.John Riemer

We weep with you and your family with the loss of your Son and Brother, Bruce. Though we never met Bruce personally, the love of our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, compels us to extend our love towards you in this time of grief.It was just today that we experienced this wonderful email from a very close relative and by passing it on would be of encouragement.May our Lord hold you near to His bosom as He comforts and gives you strength.http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

My heart breaks for each of you during this difficult time. Only God can give you the strength and comfort to endure such heartache. Please know you are being lifted up in prayer. Mr. & Mrs. Fortney, I met you at the ribbon-cutting for Charlie's new business in Bowling Green. Charlie and Connie are very special to me and to our church, Living Hope Baptist. Sincerely, Bonnie Cheatham

Bob and Nell,Please know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers. We can't imagine the sorrow you are feeling but we know that God's grace is always sufficient to comfort and sustain us in times like these. We love you all and count it a blessing to have been joined to your family through Connie and Charlie's love for each other. Although we didn't get to know Bruce well, we know he was a special uncle to Stephen and Casey. We're praying for you. Love, Glen and Annette