When you think of Merri-Mar and engine service, Mike Fortin has to come to mind. Mike is our veteran in-house engine expert.

Mike is originally from the Andover/Lawrence area. He attended the Greater Lawrence Technical School and graduated with a focus on engines, more specifically machine tool technology. He spent the earlier days of his career in the automotive industry where he sank into his craft for about 10 years. He then dove into the marine industry working on boat motors for Riverfront Marine in Salisbury MA for the next 10 years. Next stop Merri-Mar, where he will be celebrating his 25th anniversary this year. He is the go-to guy for all engine mechanicals and electrical systems, transmissions, outdrives, and diagnostic work, and is certified as a Cummins, Yanmar, Mercruiser, Volvo Penta, Northern Lights, and Kohler generators technician.

When not at work, Mike is happily maneuvering through his Grandson’s rigorous sports schedule. Kole, age 10, keeps both of his grandparents on the fly through overlapping seasons of basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, karate and soon-to-be on deck, dirt biking. It’s no surprise that Mike’s 2 Albemarles haven’t clocked many engine hours over the past several years, but the family does manage to squeeze in water time with his extended tribe in the Lake Winnipesaukee & Ossipee regions.

A lesser-known tidbit about Mike is that he is a newlywed. After 14 years, he and his wife Angie tied the knot in the summer of 2023. They live in Elliott ME with their grandson Kole, and feline friend Kaylie.