Louis Fortunato Jr.

BROOKFIELD- Louis Fortunato of Brookfield, Ohio departed this life on April 22, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, Ohio. Lou was born Feb. 5, 1930 to Louis Fortunato, Sr. and Irma (Ragaini) Fortunato on the east side of Youngstown, Ohio. Louis was a lifelong resident of the area, attending Scienceville / North High School and attended Youngstown College for Drafting. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas where he achieved the rank of Staff Sargent and was honorably discharged. He returned home to Youngstown where he resumed his role in the family business, Louis Fortunato and Son Construction. Lou designed and built many homes in the area. He also worked for various contractors in the area until he decided to return to school to get a degree in Vocational Education. His new career started at Tod Vocational School in Youngstown and later at Trumbull County Vocational School (now Trumbull County Career and Tech Center) in Warren. It was there he served as President of the Teacher's Union. Lou also taught the Carpenter's Apprenticeship Program at Packard Electric. Out of high school he received his private pilot's license and flew out of Lansdowne Airport and later enjoyed sailing and YSU football games. But what he enjoyed most of all was every moment with his wife Jeannette and being a part of his children and grandchildren's lives and activities. Lou's family was the most important thing in his life. Lou attended Christ the King Church (now New Life Lutheran Church), Liberty, Ohio where he was a Sunday school teacher, served as President of the church council and numerous other committees. He is currently a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Cornersburg, Ohio. Lou was very involved in the Boy Scouts, Troop #85 in Liberty. He was also very involved with Brookfield High School Band Boosters. Lou married the love of his life, Jeannette Mae (Glazzy) on October 1, 1955. His memory will be cherished by his children; Louis (Cheryl) Fortunato, III of North Jackson; David Fortunato of Brookfield and Lee Ann Fortunato-Heltzel of Columbiana, grandchildren, Lynn Marie Fortunato of Lake Milton; Richard Louis Heltzel, Jr. of Evanston, IL; Nicholas Mathew Heltzel of Lyndonville, VT; Christopher Louis Fortunato of North Jackson and Danielle Mae Heltzel of Columbiana and great-grandchild, Landon Thomas Fortunato of Lake Milton; his sisters Aurora Fortunato of Mineral Ridge and Eleanor Becker of Youngstown; and his brother-in-law, Steve Glazzy of Cuyahoga Falls. Besides his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his wife Jeannette, brother-in-laws Rand Becker, and Lewis Schumacher and sister-in-laws Dorothy Glazzy and Betty Schumacher. The family will receive friends from 4PM-7PM on Tuesday, April 26 at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave. The family will also receive friends on Wednesday, April 27 from 10AM-11AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Rd., where the funeral service will follow at 11AM. Interment will take place at Tod Homestead Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Louis's memory to Zion Lutheran Church.