FORTUNATO, Stefano Born in Sammichele di Bari, Italy on January 29, 1936 and died September 28, 2017 at his home in Stoney Creek. With deep sadness and much gratitude for all that he brought to our lives Stefano Fortunato’s family announces his peaceful passing surrounded by his loving family from a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved and cherished husband of 52 years to Margherita (nee Bellacosa). Loving father and inspiration to his daughters Maria, Kelly (Ella) and Anna. Will be dearly missed by sister Domenica Marazia (late Antonio), brother Giovanni and sister-in-law Lina Fortunato. Stefano will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews in Canada: Franca Marazia, Maria and Rito Rosati and their children Christian, Sebastian and Isabella, Mariangela Fortunato, Alfonzina Bator (Fortunato) and her husband John and their son Lukas. Stefano leaves behind family, compari and friends in Canada and Italy. Special thank you to Compari and Family Friend Matteo and Michela Tenance for extra care to the family. Stefano was born in Sammichele di Bari, Puglia (Italy) and came to Canada in 1960 with two suitcases to start a new life in a new country. He retired from Stelco after 33 years of service as a machine operator. Stefano loved working in his garden, watching soccer games, making vino, and travelling the world with his wife and family. We will always be grateful to have shared life’s journey with him. God saw you getting tired a cure was not to be; So He put His arms around you and He whispered, “Come with me” With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away Although we loved you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best! Visitation at Bay Gardens Funeral Home – “William J. Markey Chapel”, 947 Rymal Road East, HAMILTON (905.574.0405) on Friday, September 29th (today) from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier, 304 8 HWY, Stoney Creek, on Saturday, September 30th, at 10 a.m. Entombment at Our Lady of The Angels Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in memory of Stefano to Juravinski Cancer Centre or the Cancer Assistance Program (CAPS) of Hamilton. Please sign the online Book of Condolences at www.baygardens.ca