Obituary of Dr. Fortunato Tortorella

TORTORELLA, Dr. Fortunato (Fred) Passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 30, 2009 at the age of 77. Devoted husband to Karen (Resch). Loving father to Stefanie, Barbara and Dr. Andrew (Dr. Bonnie). His grandchildren Maximus (6), Marcus (4), Andrew (3) and Isabella (1) will cherish their memories and sadly miss him. Beloved brother to Mary Infelise and dear uncle to Joanna (Joe) Collini, Natalie and Joseph. Fred was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario. He was a hard working student and after graduating from St. Catharines Collegiate, he attended the University of Toronto. He graduated from the U of T Faculty of Dentistry with his DDS in 1957 and returned home to set up a practice. Throughout his career, he was actively involved in organized dentistry. He served on the executive of the St. Catharines Dental Society as its President in 1971. He also served as President of the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association in 1977. Since 1978, Fred was the editor of the NPDA newsletter reporting on local news and component society activities.Fred represented his component society as a member of the ODA's Board of Governors from May 1989 until November 1994 and then as a councillor for the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association from November 1996 until October 2000. He was named a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry in 1980 and a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry in 1994. Fred was honored with the ODA's Board of Governors Award in 1994 and its Governance and Leadership Award in 2000. He served as Chair of the Dental Auxiliary Advisory Committee for Niagara College in 1982. In 2007 he received his 50-year pin from the ODA. Fred was not only involved in dentistry; he was involved in his community and was a respected member of both. He will forever be remembered by family, friends and colleagues. Dr. Tortorella's family will receive visitors at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Friday January 1st from 2-4 and 7-9pm.Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 67 Church Street, St. Catharines on Saturday, January 2nd at 2:30 pm. Rite of Committal to follow in Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, Fonthill. Vigil Prayers for Dr. Tortorella will be recited in the funeral home on Friday, January 1st at 2:00 pm. If desired, memorial donations to the Kidney Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.