1920
Fortunato
2012
Fortunato J. Rizzitano
December 6, 1920 — November 6, 2012
Fortunato J. Rizzitano, 91, of North Grafton, and formerly of Needham and Concord, died November 6, 2012. He was the beloved husband of 35 years to the late June (Nardone) Rizzitano.
Fortunato was born December 6, 1920 in Messina, Sicily, a son of the late James C. and Francesca (Donato) Rizzitano. He grew up in Concord, MA and graduated from Boston Trade High School. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years as a PFC in the 8th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. He fought in many battles and campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, The Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes, and Central Europe. After returning from Europe, he attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. Fortunato was employed by the U.S. Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center in Watertown, MA, retiring as Chief of the Materials Application Division. During his 28-year career as an executive in U.S. Army materials research and development, he authored or co-authored more than 50 technical reports, held six patents on materials and process developments, and he received one of the U.S. Army's highest scientific honors, the Army Research and Development Achievement Award in both 1965 and 1973 for his outstanding achievements. His technical expertise was primarily in the area of special materials development for advanced weapons systems.
Fortunato enjoyed boating and fishing for tuna, striped bass and bluefish with his family and friends. His favorite catch was a 45-pound striped bass and he had the photo to prove it. His hobbies included flying single-engine aircraft, engine tuning and repair, woodworking, metalworking, golf, poker, candlepin bowling, gardening and he was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. Fortunato also spoke Italian, Spanish, French, and German and he enjoyed traveling to more than 25 countries.
He leaves his children, Jane E. Rizzitano of Upton and her husband David Thakar, and James A. Rizzitano of Southboro and his wife Kimberlee; two sisters, Sue Castrichini of Concord and Shirley Schipelliti of Woburn; 5 grandchildren; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Mary and Dominic Rizzitano of Concord.
45 Main Street, Upton, starting at 8:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 151 Mendon St., Upton.
Burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham.
Fortunato was born December 6, 1920 in Messina, Sicily, a son of the late James C. and Francesca (Donato) Rizzitano. He grew up in Concord, MA and graduated from Boston Trade High School. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years as a PFC in the 8th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. He fought in many battles and campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, The Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes, and Central Europe. After returning from Europe, he attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. Fortunato was employed by the U.S. Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center in Watertown, MA, retiring as Chief of the Materials Application Division. During his 28-year career as an executive in U.S. Army materials research and development, he authored or co-authored more than 50 technical reports, held six patents on materials and process developments, and he received one of the U.S. Army's highest scientific honors, the Army Research and Development Achievement Award in both 1965 and 1973 for his outstanding achievements. His technical expertise was primarily in the area of special materials development for advanced weapons systems.
Fortunato enjoyed boating and fishing for tuna, striped bass and bluefish with his family and friends. His favorite catch was a 45-pound striped bass and he had the photo to prove it. His hobbies included flying single-engine aircraft, engine tuning and repair, woodworking, metalworking, golf, poker, candlepin bowling, gardening and he was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. Fortunato also spoke Italian, Spanish, French, and German and he enjoyed traveling to more than 25 countries.
He leaves his children, Jane E. Rizzitano of Upton and her husband David Thakar, and James A. Rizzitano of Southboro and his wife Kimberlee; two sisters, Sue Castrichini of Concord and Shirley Schipelliti of Woburn; 5 grandchildren; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Mary and Dominic Rizzitano of Concord.
Service Details
Funeral services Friday, November 9 from the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home,45 Main Street, Upton, starting at 8:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 151 Mendon St., Upton.
Burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham.