Obituary of Richard Fortini

Richard A. Fortini, 77 of Cape Canaveral, Florida passed away on March 13, 2009 while in the William Childs Hospice Center. He had fought a valiant 20 year battle with brain cancer. He was born and lived in Springfield, Massachusetts, and also lived in Wilbraham and Truro Massachusetts before moving to Florida. Richard served in the Army in Huntsville, Alabama at the Redstone Arsenal during the Korean War. Following his Army tour of duty, his entire working career was with New England Telephone/Nynex Co. He was cable splicer and a manger in both the Motor Vehicle and Legal Divisions. Richard had many hobbies and was active in several organizations. He was President of the Springfield Motorcycle Club in the 1950's. Later he served as Commodore of the Springfield Yacht and Canoe Club. He belonged to the Springfield Sportsman's Club and the Nauset Rod and Gun Club on Cape Cod. He was an avid boater and loved both stream, lake and deep sea fishing, especially off Montauk, LI, NY. He was an expert skeet shooter and won many club championship trophies. Richard was a loving husband to Eleanor for 56 years, and a wonderful father to his two daughters Linda and Ruth. He leaves his daughter, Linda Kern, and her husband David Kern of East Longmeadow, MA and their three children. Jeffery Short of Sherman Oaks, CA, Jennifer Short of Springfield, MA, and David Kern of East Longmeadow, MA; daughter Ruth and her husband Vincent Albanese and their three children Cory, Shayna and Christopher Albanese all of South Weymouth, MA. He also leaves his sister Grace Rawle and brothers-in-law Richard Rawle, Tom Maybury, Delbert Russell, Herbert Russell, sisters-in-law Joyce Maybury, Carol Landers, Beverly Russell, Thelma Rogers and Sandy Russell, and many nieces and nephews and cousins. Eleanor and Richard both appreciate the support and friendship they received from their close friends Joan and Charles Pederzoli. He was fortunate to have many friends who supported us during his long illness. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. The family thanks both the emergency staff of Cape Canaveral Hospital and the staff of Health First Hospice for their expert and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the William Childs Hospice Center 381 Medplex Parkway Palm Bay, FL 32907-2570 or Mass General Hospital, Cancer Research Center, Suite 600, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114 or to the charity of your choice. Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 3300 North Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 11 AM. A celebration of his life will be held following at the Villages of Seaport Clubhouse on Ocean Park Lane, Cape Canaveral, FL.