James J. Fortunato

Age 87, of Green Tree, died suddenly on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Son of the late Massimo and Gina Marie Fortunato; father of Gina Marie (Nicholas) Tampio; brother of Virginia Heinrich, Jean Brown, Joseph Fortunato and the late Josephine; also survived by four grandchildren; four nieces; and three nephews. James graduated from Clark High School in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army as a Technical Sergeant/Army Medical Corps during WWII 1945-1947. Dr. Fortunato attended the University of Pittsburgh starting in 1947 receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950, Master's degree in 1952 and his BioChemistry Ph.D. in 1957. In 1950, Dr. Fortunato worked at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh as a Chemistry Lab Researcher under Dr. Robert Klein. He became Department Head of the Chemistry and Research Lab in 1952 while he was obtaining his Ph.D. Dr. Fortunato attended Medical School at the University of Di Napoli, Italy, graduating in 1964. Dr. Fortunato's residency training was at St. Francis Medical Center where he became Director of the St. Francis Emergency Room Department for 35 years. Upon retirement from St. Francis Hospital, he worked with the Happy Program with Industrial Medicine. He practiced Preventative Medicine promoting physical and mental health through etiology and epidemiology of injuries to the workplace. Dr. Fortunato was truly a compassionate, caring physician who touched the lives of colleagues, residents, nurses, patients and friends. He will be truly missed by all. Friends welcome Tuesday 6-8 p.m., and Wednesday 2-4, 6-8 p.m. WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE (412-563-2800), 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Grace Church Thursday 10 a.m. Interment in Holy Souls Cemetery.