SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jesse Joseph Fortino, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, September 3 at his home.
Born on May 5, 1926 in Whitehall, he was the son of the late Jesse and Dora Mae (Monroe) Fortino. He grew up in Brant Lake with his grandparents, Eli Monroe and Angeline Frasier Monroe.
At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman 1st class. During World War II he served at seven posts including the USS Indiana. He earned three medals including the Asiatic Pacific Medal: five stars, American Theater Medal and the Victory Medal. Jesse was honorably discharged on May 24, 1946 and re-enlisted during the Korean War and served four more years.
He married June Ferguson in 1956 and worked as a machinist at GE, Tarrant Mfg. and Consolidated Diesel, retiring in 1985. Jesse enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors as well as taking trips to Italy to visit his siblings.
Survivors include his three children, James, Diane and Joseph (Wendy) Fortino; five grandchildren, Spencer and Nola Sheehan of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Madison, Halleigh and Jesse Fortino of Saratoga Springs; six siblings, Adriano (Maria) of Silver Springs, Maryland, Francesco, Louisa, Virginia, Nazzrane and Luigina, all of Italy. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Adriano’s children, Marco, Kathy and Sabrina and his closest cousins, Ed Morehouse, John Morehouse and John Monroe.
