Louis J. Fortunato

Louis J. Fortunato, 92, of East Hartford, loving husband of 65 years of Anna Mary (Diana) Fortunato, peacefully passed away on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, at Hartford Hospital.

Born in East Hartford on Feb. 19, 1921, a son of the late Gaetano and Catherine (Oliva) Fortunato, he had been a lifelong resident of East Hartford. Louis attended Prince Technical School, Hartford, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served with the First Marines 3rd Division in Bougainville in the Pacific theater, along with being on the second landing of Marines at the Guadalcanal Campaign. Louis was a disabled American veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2083, East Hartford. He was a member of the Italian-American Club in East Hartford and a longtime faithful communicant of St. Isaac Jogues Church and St. Rose Church, East Hartford. Prior to his retirement he was employed for 40 years by Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, retiring as a general foreman in the propeller repair division. He was also a member of the Hamilton Standard Management Club.

Louis was an avid outdoorsman who loved deep-sea fishing and hunting. A talented woodworker, Louis liked making furniture for his family and friends. Most of all, Louis was a devoted family man who took pride in being a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Isabelle Basnight and Marlene Gallo, both of East Hartford. Along with his beloved wife, Louis is survived by his two sons, Guy T. Fortunato, and his wife, Deborah, of Suffield, and James "Jimmy" Fortunato of East Hartford, with whom he made his home. He also leaves three special grandchildren, Amy Mordarski, and her husband, Jamie, of Oakville, Guy T. Fortunato Jr., and his wife, Melissa, of Somers, Lauren Weinholtz, and her husband, Philip, of Longmeadow, Mass.; four adored great-grandchildren, Megan and Jack Mordarski, Tommy and Sam Fortunato; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, from the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Isaac Jogues Church, One Community Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will be at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Section Y, Bloomfield.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Louis' name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517; or to the Independence Fund, 290 Callaway Ave., Pensacola, FL 32505 or to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.

The Fortunato family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff at Hartford Hospital for their professionalism, care, compassion, and love shown and given to Louis and his family.

For online expressions of sympathy to the family please visit

www.desopo.com