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BORN
1940
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
1531 Cobblestone Boulevard
Elkhart, Indiana
George Fortino Obituary
George Anthony Fortino, 81, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at Ernestine Raclin House Center for Hospice in Mishawaka.
He was born on Jan. 13, 1940, in Elkhart to Frank and Mary Fortino. George married Sandra Kemble at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bristol, Indiana.
George was co-owner/president of St. John's Business Machine and Fort Wayne Business Products. His companies were in the top 10 of businesses with Cannon Copiers. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Blackhawks. playing golf and fishing. He and his wife wintered in Naples, Florida, where he would play golf or go fishing every day. They also enjoyed listening to jazz music, dancing, hunting and entertaining friends. His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends.
George is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandy; their children Mark (Carol Fournier) Kemble of New Buffalo, Michigan, and Jeanne Sawyer of Elkhart; grandchildren Ross (Amanda) Sawyer of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Alexandra (Andy) Suever of Indianapolis, Indiana; great-grandchildren Leighton Sawyer, Lena Sawyer and Georgia Suever; and his sister, Mary Jo (Jim) Kiefer of Elkhart. George was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Christine "Chrissy" Ann Fortino and his brother Nick Fortino.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Bristol, IN 46507 with visitation from 11 a.m. until mass. Father Robert Van Kempen will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol, Indiana.
Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart IN 46514, is assisting the Fortino family.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 411 West Vistula Street, Bristol, IN 46507, www.stmarysbristol.com, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Fortino
Sponsored by Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Elkhart.
Jim Kincer
February 23, 2022
We just learned of the passing of our friend George Fortino! We have many wonderful memories with George and Sandy! Our thoughts and Prayers are with the entire Fortino family! RIP my friend!
Ashley Stock
November 2, 2021
George was a wonderful friend and neighbor. We will miss his infectious laughter and generous spirit. Our prayers and hearts go out to his wonderful family.
Anthony and Sandy Iemma
November 1, 2021
our sincerest condolences for you all. George was a wonderful guy and always brought strength to any situation , happy ones or serious. We will miss him and only wish we had seen him more over all the years. Our prayers and God bless George.
Mike Iemma and family
October 31, 2021
Great memories of growing up together!
Linda and Jack Burket
October 30, 2021
Too many good times to count!
We are so blessed to have known and loved George. He was a wonderful friend and we will miss him dearly. Sandy , May the Lord hold you and your family close.
Sandy and Al Haimbach
October 30, 2021
George´s friendliness and warmth will always be remembered. We are thinking of Sandy and all who loved him.
john gildea
October 30, 2021
George was a gentleman and a friend. He always had a smile and kind word when we met. We were teammates on the St. Vincent BB team where despite being the youngest of us, he was the only one who shaved. His parents were fixtures on Marion St. My thoughts are with Sandy and Mary Jo. RIP,
Charles Papa
October 29, 2021
Sandy and family I am very sorry for the loss of George. I remember as a youngster from Chicago spending time with George & family during the summer. George gather was my godfather when I took my first communion.
Marcia Mark Semenak (Bicknell)
October 29, 2021
So sorry, Sandy! So many good memories of George in our younger years. I´ll be thinking of you.
Sonya Stanage
October 29, 2021
Jeanne, so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad, George. I only met him a few times but what a nice gentle man. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your entire family. God Bless, Sonya
Bob Holke
October 29, 2021
George was the Very Instrument to me in my career in the Office Machine Industry. Great that I knew him. Bob Holke
John & Jane Sotebeer
October 29, 2021
George will be missed but his memory will live forever!
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Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Elkhart1531 Cobblestone Boulevard, Elkhart, IN 46514
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