Mar 22, 2018

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, a son of the late Frank Sr. and Matilda Ratinni Fortunato.

During his youth, Mr. Fortunato served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

He was employed for 30 years in the brick department of LTV Steel at their Pittsburgh Works. Following his retirement from LTV, he was employed as a school bus driver for 27 years by Canon-McMillan School District.

Mr. Fortunato was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg, where he served as an usher at 10:30 Mass and was a member of 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 Pittsburgh Steelers football. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and, during summer, he could be found 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, Canonsburg, he married the love of his life, Charlene G. Totterdale, with whom he recently celebrated 59 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; two brothers, Al (Freda) Fortunato of Houston and Tony Fortunato of Canonsburg; a sister, Margaret Alderson of Canonsburg; a sister-in-law, Lois Mercer of Canonsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are his twin brother, Dominick Fortunato, and a brother-in-law, Charles Alderson.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Mario L. DeAngelo Funeral Home, 194 East College Street, Canonsburg, where departing prayers will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday, March 26. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg. Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and standuptocancer.org.

A guest book is available at www.deangelocare.com.