Florence R. Fortino

Florence Ruth Fortino (nee Ozien) was born on September 24, 1927 in Chicago. Florence was an honors student and a cheerleader at Thomas Kelly High School in Brighton Park on Chicago’s South Side. As part of a local dance company she would perform at Buckingham Fountain in the 1930s. After high school she was a demonstrator in the toy department at famous Marshall Field’s on State Street. When she was 19 she met her best friend and the love of her life, John Fortino, in St. Richard’s Parish where she could be found hanging out at his softball games. They were married after John returned from a stint in the U.S. Army and had went on to have three children. Home videos from the 1950s show Florence and John and their three children playing in their backyard in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood where she and her family lived for over 50 years. One of her favorite things to do was cook in her kitchen. She would make her famous homemade pizza and host parties for her children and their friends. Once their children moved out of the house, Florence went to work in concessions at the Chicago Stadium and then United Center during the years that the Bull’s won several championships and also for the White Sox at Comiskey Park. She and John also spent many years, together with their daughter, Ruth Ann, selling vintage toys and jewelry at flea markets in Illinois. Florence is survived by her son John Fortino and his wife, Carol , son Scott Fortino and his wife, Ilsa Flanagan and daughter Ruth Ann; five grandchildren, John Fortino, Jr (Kim), Jennifer Little (Mike), Susanne Murray (Scott), Tiffany Fortino, and Michael Fortino and 9 great grandchildren who live in Texas, Florida, and Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ruth Ozien, and brother Walter Ozien, Jr. Donations may be made to Paws Chicago. Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 23, 2017 at FORAN FUNERAL HOME 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th St. just West of Harlem) from 8:30 AM until time of Prayers 11 AM. Mass 11:30 AM at St. Daniel the Prophet Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. For information 708-458-0208.

Tributes

Florence R. Fortino

September 24, 1927 - August 19, 2017