Obituary of Anthony Patsy Fortuna

Devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather Anthony Pat Fortuna, 81, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 2nd. He was born on May 6, 1930 in Bridgeport, Ct. He graduated from Harding High School in 1948. Pat was madly in love with his high school sweetheart Ida Marchio and married her in 1951. The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 29th- still madly in love. Pat served in the United States Marine Corps. during the Korean War as Sergeant Major and was credited with simplifying the Marine Corp filing system, an honor he talked about many times throughout the years. He was also an expert marksman earning the best record of the time. He was always proud to say he was a marine. While in the marines Pat showed his generosity on a train offering a seat to a newly drafted army man named John McCormack , Mac would become Pats lifelong best friend and the butt of his many jokes. After Pat & Ida were married they owned Pats Superette in Bridgeport and later opened and operated The Kitchen Workshop also in Bridgeport. During this time, Pat worked side by side with his wife Ida. Pat then went to work for Ballantine Beer Company as a salesman and then was promoted to a regional supervisor for 17 years. One day the commute to New Jersey just got to be too much and Pat decided to leave Ballantine and follow a dream to open a small deli with his wife. The wildly popular Fortunas Deli and Catering was founded in 1973 & he was once again working side by side with Ida. The delis won many awards over the years including Zagats. Pat was even honored in Whos Who of America. They expanded the deli chain to 10 locations throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. They worked together for the next 35 years until they retired. Pat was a lifelong resident of Bridgeport and Trumbull before moving to Zionsville, Indiana in 2007. In Indiana Pat spent most of his days with family and many hours taking long walks on his property and caring for his gardens. He and Ida enjoyed trips to the casino, after all it is only a half hour away. Everyone who knew him knew he loved singing and dancing, smiling, and always hugging. He was always willing to give a hug, but "dont be the first to let go. Pat would hug anyone, strangers in the grocery store or the bank, even the mail lady. Pat was probably the only person ever to enjoy going to chemo. He just loved the socializing. He went back one day recently to thank his doctors and nurses. He loved people and especially enjoyed talking, he never met a stranger. Pat always saw a star in everything. It was not uncommon to see Pat casually dressed and in sunglasses always with a smile. He had a flare for life until the very end. His love and generosity will be missed by all who ever met him. He was a confident man who always wanted to make people happy. He loved everyone and his heart was bigger than big. Pat was also an avid UCONN Husky basketball fan along with Ida. They enjoyed watching the men and womans teams. They watched every game and even attended many, including out of state games and tournament games. They even traveled to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. Pat loved the beach and had homes in Florida and Rhode Island and spent much time at each. This translated into many happy moments for his children and grandchildren as he shared his enthusiasm for the beach. Pat wrote a book called Lessons in Life, from Grandpa to my Grandchildren. In the book are ideas, facts, thoughts and pictures that he gathered over his lifetime and compiled into a book to carry on his legacy. He has given signed books to his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. His love and generosity will be greatly missed by all who ever met him. Pat loved everyone, but most of all his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is predeceased by his son, David Fortuna, his parents Frank and Mary Fortuna, his sisters Mary and Angela, and his brother Ray. He is survived by his beloved wife Ida, daughters Rosemary DLuhy of Avon Indiana and Patti Stannard of Sandgate, Vermont and son Paul Fortuna of Carmel Indiana, as well as their spouses, Les, Paul and Angela who he truly thought of as his own. Pat is survived by 10 grandchildren, the light of his life, Jennifer & John Helton, Beth Fortuna, Karen & Mark Whiteman, Chris & Liza Stannard, Amy Stannard, Anthony Fortuna, Michael Fortuna and great granddaughter Alyssa Helton, his sister Stella Barrett of Florida, brother Ralph Fortuna of Connecticut, & many nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Tuesday December 6, 2011 at 10:00 am in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull and at 11:00 am in St. Theresa Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may call on Monday from 4-8 pm.