JAMES J. FORTUNATO M.D.

a wonderful man and doctor who was full of fun and laughter you will always be in my memories fondly debbie doria

Dear Dr. Fortunato:
What a great person the world has lost. So kind, giving, and talented. So brilliant, yet always humble, even though you had so many amazing accomplishments.

I was a scared five year old when I had tonsilitis, finding me in the hospital more than once. At your house, you'd see my fears and have me hop on your lap. I can still feel your warm breath on my cheek as you peered in my ear... Taking your time to talk and listen and coax- even though you had bigger things to worry about-was such a gift... You treated me like I was the most important person in the world... which is how you were, with all your patients.

One time you took Gina and I to a fair. We passed a table and you saw us looking at personalized brackets. "Wow, Cloud-dee-ah, they have your name!" With that, you bought the bracelet for me. I tried to hide my surprise...it was the first time I was gifted something on a whim. As a little girl, I was especially gitty to get a gift from someone so important and intelligent. Even though it was made of a string of beads, I wore the bracelet like a strand of diamonds. I still have it.

At sleepovers you'd tuck us in, Giving us sweet kisses, and your wonderful words of advice... "Make sure the bear isn't close to your mouth as you sleep, as to not obstruct your airway." I always did as you said, for you were the smartest person I knew. Even though I didn't know what an airway was, I knew what love was. And it was so good to feel yours.

Thank you Doctor for being such a great influence in my life. I have so many fond memories that fill my heart. Thank you for making the world such a better place.

Love, Claudia

Jim always had a wonderful sense of humor.
He was an usher in my wedding party (1953). We had a lot of "Italian things" to talk about. God rest his soul! Flo B.

For as long as I can remember (since the age of 4yrs?), I have had two father figures in my life; one of them was Dr.Jim. I am at a loss for words to describe how I feel right now, but I can say this much, I will always cherish the time I spent with him. His laughter, the seeming mischievous twinkle in his eyes that I enjoyed over the years, and his kindness, will be truly missed.

One of my favorite traditions the past eleven years has been having a drink with my father-in-law at Deblasio's.

While we sit and sip Chianti and watch baseball or football games, people come up to Dr. Jim and shake his hand and ask how he is doing. For fifty years, he treated people from every walk of life in the emergency room or his practice. It was like spending time with a celebrity. Everybody loved him.

In our conversations, he would casually mention amazing facts. Like the time he attended Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The one where Bill Mazeroski hit the game-ending home run. You know, one of the most famous baseball games ever played. He also told stories about going to Germany as a medical orderly shortly after the end of World War II or enrolling in medical school in Naples even though he didn't yet speak Italian.

I will miss the affection he showed his daughter and our family, but the twinkle in his eye will live on in his grandchildren.

Rest in peace, dad.

My dad, James J. Fortunato, M.D. was a man filled with wisdom. He was one of the people whose counsel I sought on a hundred topics. Some of the time his thoughts were serious, but much of the time he found light-hearted ways to express his views. With a twinkle in his eyes, he would speak from his heart. I grew up hearing these phrases and as a child I was often puzzled by the words. Fortunately because I was about as different from my father as one could be, I had many opportunities to understand and internalize his wisdom.
"I may not always be right, but I am never wrong."
"To each his own like the man who kissed the cow."
"He who makes his bed, sleeps in it."
And just yesterday, my 6 year old told my 9 year old "he who doesn't use his head uses his feet".

But many people do not know my favorite saying of my father's -- "There is no dirt in medicine." My dad was the director of an emergency room in inner city Pittsburgh at a time when emergency medicine was still being developed. There were few diagnostics available because the specialty was only being developed. My father sat with each patient and looked, listened and touched. He used his intuition and his knowledge of the body. He provided the same quality of care regardless if the patient was a homeless man who had no ability to pay or a celebrity. For him, the only thing that mattered was treating the patient (and the family) with dignity, compassion and care.

The world is in desperate need of more people like my father not less, but with his death, I will continue his legacy as we raise our boys. And while our life choices were different and sometimes confusing to my father, may he take comfort when he hears our little boys, with that same twinkle in their eyes, preaching his wisdom.

"Time is a cure-all."
Daddy, you will be missed but never forgotten.

I was very sorry hear of Dr. Fortunato's passing. He was my physician at St Francis while I was working for the city, years ago. He was a caring, compassionate doctor and a genuinely nice guy. He will be missed and fondly remembered. He will be in thoughts and prayers.

P. Lugaila

jAMES MAY YOU REST IN THE PEACE OF Christ.
iT HAS BEEN YRS SINCE I LAST SAW YOU. HOPEFULLY YOU RECALL THAT YOU WERE AN USHER IN MY WEDDING TO DR.pETER BONADERO(A RESIDENT AT CHP) hE PASSED AWAY FROM ALS..YOU DID KNOW HIM WHEN HE WAS A RESIDENT AT CHP.
I HOPE YOU RECALL MY WEDDING WHERE YOU WERE ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS? yOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS. YOUR OLD FRIEND
FLO UFOLLA BONADERO. I LIVE IN Houston,tX NOW:(( I HAVE A DAUGHTER, WHO IS A LAW pROF AT uN.OF Houston AND MY SON IS IN A HIGH JOB OF ELECTRONICS WHICH TAKES HIM OVERSEAS ABOUT HALF OF EACH YR..HE ONCE TOOK ME TO TAIWAN ON A BUSINESS TRIP..BOTH MY CHILDREN LIVE IN TEXAS..i MISS pGH, AND HAVE THREE SISTERS LIVING THERE. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS..FLO BONADERO(uFOLLA)

Having known him for decades, the first word that comes into my mind to describe Jim is "generous."
Midge Maroni

I remember working with this great physician at St. Francis Hospital.....

We had the pleasure of knowing this great man and Dr. Socially in the 1960s . Our sympathy to Gina Marie who he thought the world of. May he rest in peace. Gods Blessings

This is my favorite photo of my beloved Stepfather. We found this photo in an old sea-trunk in the garage at our family home many years ago. My mother had it framed for me and for my Dad. My copy hangs on the wall in my home in Maryland. I believe this photo was taken when he was attending medical school in Naples, Italy. The gentleman to his immediate right (our left) is his sister Josephine's husband aka "Uncle Red."
My stepfather aka "My Dad" aka "Dr. Jim" was larger than life to me and our family. He was charming, bright, engaging, funny and was loved & respected by many. On occasion, he'd introduce me and my brothers to people at St. Francis stating: “These are my sons Tony, Joe and Carl.” Often, the reply was: "Doc, they look just like you." In response, he'd give a big Cheshire Cat smile, chuckle and say "I know." If you knew him, you'll recall the smile I'm referring to. It was a smile that loved life.
Through his example, he made me a better father to my own children. I can't think of a better legacy and I'll miss him as long as I live.

Tony Nardei

he was a true member of the SFMC family and will be missed

Saddened to hear this news. Dr Fortunato was one of most wonderful doctors I ever met. I had the honor to work with him at the HAPPI Program at St Francis He was a friend and I loved him dearly. I had lost touch with him over the years. But he was always thought of fondly . He touched many people with his jovial and caring personality. the world has lost a true angel

I had the pleasure of working with Dr Fortunato in the emergency department of St. Francis Hospital and with the HAPPI Program. He was a great man and always treated people with respect. He will be missed by many. RIP Dr. Forch.

To The Fortunato Family,

Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of "Dr. Jim". He was a wonderful man, an excellent physician, and an extra special family friend. He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. Please know that all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

His caring and compassion were legendary among the SFMC family. He has long been missed by his HAPPI co-workers. Among many things, he will be remembered for his quick sense of humor,the twinkle in his blue eyes, and being a snappy dresser!

Always saying "Hello" this very respectful and caring man was what St.Francis was all about. I remember him asking every time we would pass each other "and how are you?" There were lessons there that the entire medical community could learn from. His kindness is not seen anymore. My sincere condolences to all.
Cynthia Smith,RN

My parents are so sorry to miss saying good by to such a great and caring man. I remember him fondly.

Jeffrey Matt

I worked for the Alcoholism Treatment Center at St. Francis, and the H.A.P.P.I Program at St. Francis. I had the great pleasure of knowing the great Dr. Fortunato. He always had a smile and took the time to speak to you. The community lost a very special man.

I'm truly sorry for the loss of Dr. Fortunato. He was a great man in addition to being a great Physician. I worked at St. Francis and he took the time to talk to every employee, no matter what position they held.

Heartfelt condolences to the family - I am a member of the good old St. Francis alumni and remember him well. So sorry for your loss...

Truly a very caring and wise man.. remembering him fondly. RIP Doctor Fortunato...
Darlene Durand,RN,BSN --SFMC