Thomas J. Fortunato

POLAND - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at the Holy Family Church, officiated by Monsignor William Connell and Father James Korda, for Thomas J. Fortunato, 80, who died Thursday afternoon at Masternick Memorial surrounded by his family.

Thomas was born Oct. 20, 1937, in the Brier Hill area of Youngstown to John (Jack) and Grace Fortunato 

He was a graduate of The Rayen School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Youngstown State University. He was a proud member of Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. 

Tom began his career at Commercial Shearing and then General Fireproofing. He subsequently worked at Greenville Steel Car Co., where he served as Vice President of Operations for over 17 years.

Later, he accepted a position at the GATX corporation in Chicago as Vice President and General Manager of railroad operations in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where he worked for 13 years, retiring in 2001.

He had moved to Poland in 1961, bringing his exceptional work ethic and enthusiasm to the community. He was a member of Holy Family Church for six decades, President of the Holy Family School P.T.A., Poland Seminary High School STEP committee, and a chair on Holy Family’s Social Hall Fund Raising and Construction committee. Mr. Fortunato was a founding member of The Poland Touchdown Club. He also served on Town One Streetscapes and helped plan and develop Peterson Park in Poland. 

Tom was an avid golfer and a member of the Greenville Country Club in Pennsylvania and the White Eagle Country Club in Naperville, Ill., (may he chip well in heaven). 

Mr. Fortunato was a Buckeye through and through and a passionate Ohio State football fan, a trait which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Thomas is survived by his beloved wife, the former Frances “BeBe” Luce, whom he married in 1959; two sons, Thomas (Donna) Fortunato Jr. of Powell and Attorney Mark (Karen) Fortunato of Poland; sister Annette (David) Camacci of Poland; brother James Fortunato of Austintown; sister-in-law Jeanne DiOrio of Boardman; brother- and sister-in-law Ross and Margie Luce of Upper Arlington; cherished grandchildren, Maria (Matt Thornburg), Thomas III, Allison, Zachary (Lindsey), Morgan (Tony Matarazzo), and Kaitlyn. He also leaves his beloved nieces and nephews: Ross (Julie) Luce, David (Lisa) Luce, Christine (Jeff) Young, John (Kim) Fortunato, Mary Jo Fortunato, James (Katie) Fortunato, Lauren Camacci, and many loving friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents, John and Annette (Pietra) Fortunato; his in-laws, Ross and Catherine Luce; and brother John Fortunato.

Friends may call from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the Mass at the church.

Arrangements are by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and send condolences.

The family would like to thank Dr. Arthur Duran and his loving staff, Dr. Michael Evan, Dr. John Becker, the caring team at Masternick Memorial, and his dedicated therapists from Circle Rehabilitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Ohio Health-Delay the Disease Parkinson’s Exercise Program, 500 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43214.

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