This post was written during the late summer to early autumn of 2017 and is published posthumously.
Recorded history indicates that until 1733 there was only one cemetery in Southington: Burying Grounds Hill. In 1726, the founders of the United Church of Christ in Southington and the State, built a Meeting House, designating it later as the town’s burial ground. Today that site is known as Oak Hill Cemetery.
Forty years later, upon the death of Martha Wheadan Barnes in 1773, Stephen Barnes arranged for her burial at that cemetery. But, on the day of the funeral there was a major snow storm resulting in severely blocked traffic between the Barnes residence in Plantsville and the town’s only cemetery... Oak Hill.
The Voice of Southington
Friday, December 22, 2017
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Richard Fortunato 1929-2017
SOUTHINGTON - Richard "Dick" Fortunato, 88, of Southington, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, peacefully surrounded by his famiy at his home. He was the husband of Grace Rose (Mannino) Fortunato for 65 years.
Dick was born on June 17, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late Vincent J. and Mafalda (DeRosa) Fortunato. He was a student of Georgetown University and a graduate of New York University. Dick was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, where he served as a lieutenant in the Signal Corps. Following his service, he joined Seiko Corporation, where he worked for over 20 years, ultimately as a vice president of marketing and sales. After his retirement, Dick began writing for several different publications, and this became his passion. He was a parishioner at St. Dominic Church and was very committed to supporting the church and the St. Dominic community. He was actively involved with Bread for Life, STEPS, United Way of Southington, Southington Community Services, and Relay for Life, and he was widely recognized for his services to the community. He also served on the Board of Directors and taught computer classes at the Calendar House of Southington. He was a proud member and fourth degree knight of the Knights of Columbus Isabella Council 15, and the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72.
In addition to his wife, Grace, he is survived by his five sons, Vincent Fortunato and wife, Karen, of Kensington, Joseph Fortunato, Richard Fortunato and wife, Deborah, of Cromwell, Robert Fortunato and wife, Lizette, of Bridgeport, and Stephen Fortunato and wife, Karen, of Farmington; and his cherished grandchildren, Gregory, Lindsey and husband, Robert, and Allison. He also leaves a sister, Ann Marie Rumpke, of Hempstead, N.Y.; and many beloved nieces, nephews; and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Alfred and Vincent Fortunato.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 22, at St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dick's memory to St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington, CT 06489, The United Way of Southington, P.O. Box 546, Southington CT 06489, or Bread for Life, PO Box 925, Southington, CT 06489. For online condolences and directions please visit www.dellavecchiafh.com.
Dick was born on June 17, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late Vincent J. and Mafalda (DeRosa) Fortunato. He was a student of Georgetown University and a graduate of New York University. Dick was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, where he served as a lieutenant in the Signal Corps. Following his service, he joined Seiko Corporation, where he worked for over 20 years, ultimately as a vice president of marketing and sales. After his retirement, Dick began writing for several different publications, and this became his passion. He was a parishioner at St. Dominic Church and was very committed to supporting the church and the St. Dominic community. He was actively involved with Bread for Life, STEPS, United Way of Southington, Southington Community Services, and Relay for Life, and he was widely recognized for his services to the community. He also served on the Board of Directors and taught computer classes at the Calendar House of Southington. He was a proud member and fourth degree knight of the Knights of Columbus Isabella Council 15, and the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72.
In addition to his wife, Grace, he is survived by his five sons, Vincent Fortunato and wife, Karen, of Kensington, Joseph Fortunato, Richard Fortunato and wife, Deborah, of Cromwell, Robert Fortunato and wife, Lizette, of Bridgeport, and Stephen Fortunato and wife, Karen, of Farmington; and his cherished grandchildren, Gregory, Lindsey and husband, Robert, and Allison. He also leaves a sister, Ann Marie Rumpke, of Hempstead, N.Y.; and many beloved nieces, nephews; and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Alfred and Vincent Fortunato.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 22, at St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dick's memory to St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington, CT 06489, The United Way of Southington, P.O. Box 546, Southington CT 06489, or Bread for Life, PO Box 925, Southington, CT 06489. For online condolences and directions please visit www.dellavecchiafh.com.
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