[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF THE FORTUNA FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Fortuna 
Family, who is being recognized by the Slovenian National Home (the 
Nash) at their annual Persons of the Year Recognition Dinner.
  The Fortuna Family began on November 21, 1953 when Joseph and 
Virginia Fortuna were married. In 1958, the couple opened the Fortuna 
Funeral Home in Cleveland's Slavic Village. Throughout their fifty-two 
year marriage, Joseph and Virginia raised four children, Joseph, Mary 
Ann, John and Jane.
  The eldest, Joseph, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1980 and 
today serves as the Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic 
Church in Euclid, Ohio. Mary Ann married James Trzaska; the two are 
licensed funeral directors working at Fortuna Funeral Home. Mary Ann 
and James also have two children, Sheryl and Anthony, who are both 
attorneys. John Fortuna works at the family funeral home and has been a 
licensed funeral director for 33 years. John and his wife, Roberta, 
have three children, Joseph, Katherine and Kristen. The youngest of the 
Fortuna children, Jane, married Phil DeMattia and they have raised two 
children, David and Rebecca. Jane works as a nurse at the Cleveland 
Clinic.
  The entire Fortuna Family has had a long connection to the Nash. In 
addition to Joseph and Virginia's wedding reception being held at the 
Nash, each of their children's wedding receptions were also hosted at 
the venue. Father Joseph's ordination was also celebrated at the Nash. 
Additionally, Joseph and Virginia began a long lasting family tradition 
of volunteerism at the Nash. Joseph served as President of the Board of 
Slovenian National Home and was named ``Man of the Year'' multiple 
times.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating the 
Fortuna Family as they are honored at the Slovenian National Home's 
Persons of the Year Recognition Dinner.

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