Frank Fortunato, Jr.

Frank Fortunato, Jr.

“Loving, Husband, Father and Grandfather”

Frank Fortunato, Jr., 81, of North Strabane Township passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018, in Washington Hospital following a brief illness. 

He was born April 30, 1936 in Canonsburg, the son of the late Frank Sr. and Matilda Ratinni Fortunato.

During his youth, he served in the United States Army National Guard.

For thirty years, he was employed in the brick department of LTV Steel in their Pittsburgh Works.  Following retirement from LTV, he was employed as a school bus driver for twenty-seven years by Canon-McMillan School District.

Mr. Fortunato was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg where he served as an usher at 10:30 mass and was a member of the Catholic Men’s Club. 

Some of his favorite pastimes were cooking, gardening, landscaping, and making homemade wine and sausage with his family.  His “Pappy’s famous meatballs”, eggplant parmesan, stuffed peppers and cabbage rolls kept his family, friends and neighbors looking for more.   He also enjoyed golf, bowling and Steelers Football.  He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and during summer, you could find him swimming with his grandchildren in his pool.  Most of all, spending time with his family and grandchildren brought him the greatest joy in his life. On June 14, 1958 in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg, he married the love of his life, Charlene G. Totterdale, with whom he recently celebrated fifty-nine years of marriage. 

Surviving are two children, Frank C. (Marcy) Fortunato of Canonsburg and Lisa L. (Pete) Fortunato-Hofrichter of Canonsburg, four grandchildren, Frank K. and Jessica L. Fortunato and Angelina F. and Arabella F. Hofrichter.  

Also surviving are two brothers, Al (Freda) Fortunato of Houston, Tony Fortunato of Canonsburg, a sister, Margaret Alderson of Canonsburg and a sister-in-law, Lois Mercer of Canonsburg and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his twin brother Dominick Fortunato, a brother in law James Mercer and a brother-in –law, Charles Alderson. 

Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Saturday and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday in Mario L. DeAngelo Funeral Home at 194 East College Street in Canonsburg.  Departing prayers will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg.  Entombment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Township. Full military honors will be accorded by the US Army and the VFW Post #191.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and Standuptocancer.org.

 A guestbook is available at www.deangelocare.com.

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