Joe Fortier (August 4, 1956 – January 21, 2013) was the son of the late Callista M. Fortier and the late Charles M. Fortier. He attended Catholic schools in Detroit and graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 1975. In his early life Joe was a strong swimmer, lifeguard, and scuba diver. Until the onset of his illness, which was later diagnosed as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Joe led an active and adventurous life.

After high school graduation, Joe began his life’s work in the field of sleep medicine. Early on, he attended college at the University of Detroit and Wayne State University. He held positions at Henry Ford Hospital in Sleep Disorders and at the VA Medical Center, both in Detroit. For more than 25 years Joe managed sleep clinics, consulted on important research (now oftentimes cited by others), contributed to publications and helped establish other sleep research clinics throughout Michigan.

Joe was a strong and loving family man who had a quick wit and great sense of humor. He was an avid reader of novels, current events, history, health fields, marine biology and international affairs. Active in local politics, Joe always had in his mind what would best help everyday people build a better life. He was committed to the philosophy that the use of one’s personal and professional skills in helping others was the best thing anyone could do and this he did, in his own life.

In late 2009, Joe was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). He suffered from this terrible disease for three years, handling the many challenges of what was to become a rapidly progressive neurodegeneration with honor and dignity. In January of 2013, at only 56 years of age, Joe passed away.

His wish for the charity named in his honor, the Defeat MSA Joseph G. Fortier Foundation and now what has become Defeat MSA was to carry out what he demonstrated in his own life – to advance medical research to help others, this time to help others who suffer with the same affliction he endured. Joe’s life did not include great deeds or famous achievements, but his life did demonstrate a simple desire to do his best to help others. We, at Defeat MSA, hope to do our part to continue this mission.