Rose Marie Fortunato

Rose Marie Fortunato (Rosie) of Oceanside, California passed away peacefully on August 29th at the age of 99. She was born on September 10, 1925 in Hartford, Connecticut to Paolo and Lucia Privizzini.

She was preceded in death by her brother Frank, sister Carmella (Millie) LaRosa, her daughter Joanne Fortunato, her son Ronald Fortunato and by her beloved husband of 62 years, Charles Fortunato. She is survived by her daughter Lucille Fortunato and son-in-law Timothy Lee, her son Paul Fortunato and daughter-in-law Lynne, daughter Carla Knox and son-in-law David. She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, her niece Teresa Comeau and daughter-in-law, Shelley Fortunato. Rose was a devout Catholic and Christian, devoted to Jesus, the Holy Family and especially to Saint Joseph, her patron Saint for the family.

Rose lived a long, fortuitous and blessed life. Her parents emigrated from Sicily and worked hard to build a wonderful life for Rose and her siblings. While attending Hartford High School she began working to help support the family. She had many friends and they all loved to dance at the American Italian Women's Club in Hartford, especially during World War ll when the soldiers would be bussed down from Bradley Field Army Base in Windsor Locks. Rose and friends would take the train to New York City to dance and listen to the Big Band sound whenever they could. She met her husband Charles (Charlie), soon after he served in the Navy, was transferred to NROTC, Navy Officers Training School with plans to graduate from Dartmouth College in 1946. It was a fateful day in 1945 when they met on a bus in Hartford, CT, fell in love and married on February 17, 1947. They started their family in Hartford and eventually moved to Wethersfield, CT where they resided until 1984. Rose traveled to many places within United States and Canada. Rose and Charlie traveled with their 'Vacation Pals' and set off on the Maiden Voyage of the new Flagship S. S. Oceanic to the Bahamas in April of 1965, and then again in 1973. She accompanied Charlie on numerous business conventions and events. She supported him throughout his robust career in Life Insurance while working for Eastern Auto Appraisers as an executive secretary for many years.

Upon retirement in 1983, Rose and Charlie moved to Boca Raton, FLA. Rose blossomed into an incredible water color artist/painter. She was inspired and trained by a notable local artist. She played Canasta with friends and enjoyed many outings. In 1998, her daughter Lucille prompted Rose and Charlie to move out to California to be closer to them, and so they did. In 1999 they moved to San Marcos and then to Oceanside. Rose continued to enjoy painting and being closer to family as she loved to cook her favorite Sicilian/Italian dishes, cakes and cookies. After Charlie passed in 2009, she moved in with Lucille and Tim in their new home in Oceanside. Rose chose to become a member/volunteer with the Assistance League of North Coast. She loved her role with Operation School Bell® Footsteps program providing shoes, socks and health kits to students at 39 local elementary schools. She became a longtime member of the Red Hat Society, perfecting her Bunco and winning lots of prizes. She enrolled in Mira Costa College's creative writing course, where again she blossomed into a prolific writer of her memoires and stories of her past. She loved the horses and every year made the trek with family and friends to the Del Mar Racetrack, always picking a winner by the horses's name or number. Rose was filled with happiness when surrounded by her family and especially her closest friends, always dressed up and ready to go out. She resided with Lucille and Tim for 15yrs in their Oceanside home where she enjoyed all her days until the end.

Family and friends are welcome to attend an 11am Mass held at the Mission San Luis Rey Parish (Serra Center) on October 9, 2025 with gravesite services at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside.