Robert H. Fortune, 74 of Saybrook Township took his last cruise on January 20th onboard the Carnival “Splendor”. He was born September 6, 1941 in Conneaut the son of Robert M. and Helen (Hewitt) Fortune and has been a lifetime area resident.

He graduated in 1959 from Greenbrier Military Academy in West Virginia and received his Bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. He owned Frank Fortune Wholesale Grocery Company; he was also sales manager of the Cleveland division of Super foods. Currently he was the lot boy at West Side Auto in Saybrook.

He was a Saybrook little league coach when his sons were young; a lifetime member of BPOE #208; a past president of the Ashtabula Jaycees; a member of Music Box Society International; a member of the Ashtabula Rod & Gun Club; he was a Notary Public; a substitute teacher; a member of the Saybrook Twp. fire department where he was a firefighter/EMT; he was Vice Commander of the Saybrook Water Rescue team; he was a Master Diver; a coxswain of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and had his Captains license for the Great Lakes.

Surviving him are his two sons, Rob (Marcia) Fortune of Ashtabula and Rick (Gina) Fortune of Youngstown; three grandchildren, Haley Pritt, Eric B. Fortune, Jr and Joseph Leshnack; several Great grandchildren;  four brothers, Ronald L. (Linda) of Ashtabula, William F. (Diana) of New Mexico, Michael E. (Mary) of South Carolina and David S (Julie) of Alabama; several nieces and nephews and his extended family at Martinis. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sharon in 2004 and by a granddaughter, Danielle Marie.

Funeral services will be Monday (Feb. 1st) at 11:00 AM at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 615 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula with Rev. Michael Meranda officiating. Burial will be in Saybrook Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Sunday (Jan. 31st) from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula. Memorial contributions can be made to the Saybrook Water Rescue Team, 5714 North Ridge West, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 or to the Messiah Lutheran Church 615 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Guest book and obituary at fleming-billman.com

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