Alfred Fortin Villa Children's Orphanage, Bourbonnais IL

I lived there for 12 years. 1958 to 1970. It’s seen a lot of changes and a lot of different owners. The Dominican Sisters provided a very good place for us to live.

I lived at Alfred Fortin Villa from 1960-1964. I remember Vincent

Hi Mary Lynn! Thank you for sharing your memories with us! It must have been quite an experience living at Alfred Fortin Villa during the 1960s. We'd love to hear more about your time there or any interesting stories you have. Do you recall any changes or developments in Kankakee County since then?

I used to go there with my Grandmother Rachel Fortin starting at about age 6 to bring home cooked food made in the basement of St. Rose Church for the nuns. I loved playing with the kids outside and going on field trips to Cubs, Sox, and to the Bozo show in Chicago. Alfred was my grandmother's great Uncle. I went to Bradley West, Central and BBCHS with alot of them. It was a sad day when the last child went off to foster care and was closed to later become the day care center and now the ROTC building for Olivet.

I used to go there with my Grandmother Rachel Fortin starting at about age 6 to bring home cooked food made in the basement of St. Rose Church for the nuns. I loved playing with the kids outside and going on field trips to Cubs, Sox, and to the Bozo show in Chicago. Alfred was my grandmother's great Uncle. I went to Bradley West, Central and BBCHS with alot of them. It was a sad day when the last child went off to foster care and was closed to later become the day care center and now the ROTC building for Olivet.

I lived at the villa 1960 -63 I remember the sisters, Kevin Shea,the Hookers,and
Many more,I sometimes wish I never left, I loved sister Joseph Mary, she was so talented, I remember the Santa's jumping out of a plane, Pennies from Heaven, I was an alterboy for Father McNamara the sisters called me The Wanderer

I lived at the villa 1960 -63 I remember the sisters, Kevin Shea,the Hookers,and
Many more,I sometimes wish I never left, I loved sister Joseph Mary, she was so talented, I remember the Santa's jumping out of a plane, Pennies from Heaven, I was an alterboy for Father McNamara the sisters called me The Wanderer

I lived at the villa 1960 -63 I remember the sisters, Kevin Shea,the Hookers,and
Many more,I sometimes wish I never left, I loved sister Joseph Mary, she was so talented, I remember the Santa's jumping out of a plane, Pennies from Heaven, I was an alterboy for Father McNamara the sisters called me The Wanderer

Hi Theodore! It's great to hear your memories from the 1960s. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Kankakee County. Were you involved in any specific activities or events during that time? We'd love to hear more about your experiences growing up or any changes you've noticed since then. Also, we're curious if you or your family were involved in farming.