Michael T. Fortuner Jr.

1953 - 2021

Michael T. Fortuner Jr., 68, died tragically Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, from a fire at his home in Pleasant Mount.

He was born Feb. 1, 1953, in Carbondale, oldest son to the late Michael T. Fortuner Sr. and Ruth L. Schuman Fortuner.

Mike was a graduate of Forest City Regional High School. He had been employed as a sewage enforcement officer for many area counties and municipalities. He took his profession very seriously and was a strong supporter of wetlands conservation. Always eager to explore, Mike enjoyed traveling. He hunted small and large game in addition to fishing all over the United States and Canada.

Mike was also a gifted woodworker. He built his home by hand, even completing the doors, molding and the staircase work in his home personally. Mike and his late companion of 16 years, Elaine Penner, enjoyed their home in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island in Canada. While spending time in Port Alberni, Mike immersed himself in the culture of the Tseshaht First Nation and enjoyed the Pacific shores.

Known for his wild hair and foul mouth, Mike was a beloved man of strong composure and tenacity. He was a man who treasured his freedom and loved to live, much like his woodwork, a life of his own design. Despite being known to many as a cantankerous man, he was a gentle giant who loved joking and going out to eat Chinese with his family and friends.

He is survived by three children, Michael Fortuner III of Union Dale, Megan Fortuner of Dunmore, and Matthew Fortuner of Carbondale; seven grandchildren that he adored, Panki, Michael, Kyra, Skylar, Rhys, Gianna and Henley; two sisters, Theresa Mikolon of Union Dale and Joan Jaggers of Simpson; two brothers, Dennis Fortuner of Rural Retreat, Va., and John Fortuner of Browndale; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Andrew, James, Jerome and Randy Fortuner; and a sister, Suzanne Pauswinski.

The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 89 Farview St., Carbondale. A blessing service will be conducted at 6 p.m.

An outdoor celebration of Mike's life will also be planned in the spring.

Memorial donations can be made to a charity that was very dear to Mike, St. Labre Indian School. Donations can be made in Mike's name at www.stlabre.org.

To share condolences and photos with Mike's family, visit his book of everlasting memories at www.parisefu

neralhome.com.