Joseph Fortuna, Sr. Joseph Fortuna, Sr., age 89, of Manassas, Va. passed away November 11, 2011 in Manassas. Joe Fortuna, Sr. was born February 25, 1922 in McDowell County, West Virginia, the son of the late Paul and Mary (Legato) Fortuna. He was the oldest of 12 children. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Beane Fortuna. He is survived by his three children, Joe Fortuna, Jr., of Santa Rosa, Ca; Mary Lou Fortuna and husband Frank White of Chesapeake Beach, Md; and Julie (Fortuna) Kazemi and husband Ali Kazemi of Santa Rosa, Ca; four grandchildren, Gabriel, Colette, Maia, and Elena; sister, Julia James and Freda Blankenship; brothers, Paul Fortuna, Jr. and Tony Fortuna; and 28 nieces and nephews. Mr. Fortuna graduated from Welch High School, in West Virginia, where he was a member of the Army/Air Force Reserve. After high school, in 1940, he entered Concord College before joining the active reserve and training as a pilot in San Antonio, Texas. After his discharge in 1946 he returned to Concord and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education and later an M.A. in Education. Mr. Fortuna came to Manassas to accept a position as Assistant Coach at Osbourn High School. He met Marjorie Beane and they married on December 29, 1949 and shared 57 wonderful years together until she passed away in 2006. During his years at Osbourn he served as Athletic Director from 1957-1961. He coached multiple sports and taught History and Geography. He taught Drivers Education at both Osbourn and Stonewall Jackson High Schools before his retirement in 1987. In 2007, he was named Honorary Outstanding Alumnus by the Osbourn Alumni Association. Mr. Fortuna spent many summers as manager at Sudley Swim Club in Manassas. He was also 1st Vice Commander and a lifetime member for 64 years of American legion, Post 158, Manassas. After retirement, Joe and Marjorie enjoyed many winters in Englewood, Fla., traveling, and trips with The Bluebirds. Mr. Fortuna loved football, baseball, gardening, and life. His family and friends will miss him greatly. The family will receive friends 3-7pm, Thursday, November 17th at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas.
Mass will be held at 1 pm, Friday November 18th at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Rd., Manassas, followed by interment at 2:15 in Stonewall Memory Gardens, 12004 Lee Hwy., Manassas. In lieu of flowers, expressions of remembrance may take the form of contributions in his name to the Osbourn Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 266, Manassas, Va. 20110. Condolences may be sent to: www.piercefh.com
This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).
