Joseph Anthony Fortino

Joseph Anthony 'Tony' Fortino was born in Pueblo on October 31, 1921, to Louis Fortino and Julia Granato Fortino, pioneer grocers. He spent his early years in Pueblo working in the family grocery business. He attended Hindsdale, Sacred Heart and Centennial. He served as altar boy for the Cathedral for many years. He moved to Los Angeles in 1939, and worked for Ralph's Grocery Supermarkets. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. He returned to Pueblo after World War II and entered the grocery business with his father, Louis Fortino. After a short period of time, he opened a used car lot and was in the car business until 1949, when he went to work for Jackson Chevrolet as a salesman. He advanced to used car manager, general sales manager, general manager and eventually became a partner with Bob Jackson. They remained partners in Chevrolet and Mercedes Benz dealerships for over 40 years. The dealership was sold in 2001. In 1966, he was elected to the Chevrolet Zone Council; in 1967, he was elected president of the Pueblo new car dealers; in 1968, he was elected president of the Colorado Auto Dealers. He was awarded the 'Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award' for the state in 1968, and the Northwood Institute Award for the dealer who did the most for the dealers in Colorado in 1972. Fortino stayed involved in the community and was very active in local and state governments. He was involved in many business ventures as well as being active in real estate. Jackson and Fortino were instrumental in the establishment of the former Holiday Inn at Hwy 50 and Interstate 25. Fortino was able to be a driving, energetic force in whatever endeavor he became involved and usually was elected president and chairman. He was past trustee of the National Jewish Hospital and received the National Jewish Hospital Humanitarian Award in 1977. He served as chairman of the Planning and Zoning for ten years, serving on the board for 12 years. He served on the Executive Committee for the Pueblo Economic Development for over 18 years and later served as secretary. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1988. He received the 'Citizen of the Year'award in 1987, and the Crews Business Leader award in 1995. He served as chairman of the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority for 15 years and was past chairman of the Pueblo Downtown Hotel Committee, being instrumental in bringing the Hotel and Convention Center to Pueblo. He was responsible for negotiating and purchasing 32 pieces of property on which the convention center and Marriott Hotel now stand. The Grand Hall is named after him, where he also donated the chandeliers. He was nominated by Governor Lamm in 1979, to the Supreme Court Nominating Committee and served for six years. Fortino was a member of the Colorado Transportation Commission for 20 years serving Southern Colorado, being the longest serving commissioner for the state. He was appointed by Governor Lamm in 1977, serving a four year term. Later he was appointed by Governor Romer for three four year terms. He served as chairman of this commission twice and chairman of the audit committee for six years. He saw completion of Glenwood Canyon, the interchange of Highways 50 and 47 in Pueblo and one of the biggest projects in Colorado of 2.2 billion dollars known as T-REX in south Denver. He was president of the Pueblo County Development Commission for ten years, being instrumental in building complexes for new companies to locate at the Pueblo Industrial Park, one being the US Government Printing and Document Center. He was a board member of First National Bank, later know as Mountain Banks, Colorado National Bank and now US Bank where he has served as chairman of the board. He served on this board from 1972 - 2006. Fortino served as the first vice-president of the Board of Trustees for the Pueblo Vocational Community College, now known as Pueblo Community College. He served as chairman of the foundation since its inception until 2006. The foundation was founded by him and President Tony Zeiss. They began the foundation with no assets and increased the assets to over 6 million dollars before President Zeiss left. He received an honorary degree in applied science from the college in 1986. He has donated thousands of dollars to the PCC Foundation, including chandeliers in the Fortino Ballroom. He received the President's Circle Award from the foundation in 1999, and was later inducted in to the PCC's Pueblo Hall of Fame. He was chairman of the Airport Advisory Board, The first Chairman of Pueblo Crime Stoppers, an inductee to the Centennial Hall of Fame, an honorary member of the Pueblo Rotary Club, a member of the Sons of Italy and a member of the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center where he donated the chandelier for the Helen T. White Gallery. Over the years, he has donated to numerous non-profit organizations. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Moroney) of 33 years; daughter, Stacy (Frank) Kinder; grandchildren, Alexandra Kinder, Rafe Kinder and Jordan Kinder; daughter, Carol Fortino; grandchildren, Alia (Heath) Morgan, Kara (Joe) Carreon and Tony Bergevin; great-grandchildren, Chandler Carreon and Kyle Morgan; nephew, Louis III (Patty) Fortino; nieces, Gina (Mike) Moroney and Marilyn (Chris) Johnson; sister-in-law, Shirley Moroney; special friend and cousin, John Panepinto; good friend, Tony Spicola; and good friends and business partners, Louie Carleo and Bob Jackson; and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Julia Fortino; brother, Louis Fortino II; sister, Teresa (Matt) Sanfilipo; nephew, Larry Sanfilipo; mother and father-in-law, Mary and Frank Moroney; sisters-in-law, Rose Moroney, Nell (Chuck) Cuchiara and Eva (Howard) Kellogg; brothers-in-law, Joe (Maxine) Moroney and Pete (Betty) Moroney; and life long friend, Joe Giannetto. A special thanks to Sharmar Nursing Home, Sangre de Cristo Hospice and special caring friends, Melissa Bueno and Josephine Romero. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 11th and Grand Ave. Interment, Roselawn Cemetery. Those who desire may make memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, PCC Foundation or Sangre de Cristo Hospice in care of Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com