St. Dominic's Couple Honored For Church and Community Service

For some, retirement means a time of rest and maybe some travel. For E. Richard and Grace Fortunato, however, retirement means using every last skill and talent to help others.

Since the St. Dominic's parishioner retired from his job as marketing executive in 1994, the couple has volunteered within their church in countless capacities including Bread for Life, The American Red Cross, the Interfaith Clergy Association and many more.

This month, they'll take a moment to be honored as this year's St. Joseph Medal in recognition of service within the church over the years.

"They just give so much to the parish, in so many ways," St. Dominic Father Ron May said. "Dick is a real asset us and he's been instrumental for his marketing skills, helping us connect with our parishioners and also in stewardship."

The couple admits they love staying busy and being around people. In a way, becoming involved with the church helped him acclimate to retirement, said Fortunato.

He's since served in capacities such as religious education teacher, he created the Parish Pad magazine, circulated within St. Dominic, and founded the Parish Information & Communications Center, a multimedia complex that publishes a weekly bulletin, flier inserts and more. He also created St. Dominic's first website and an online newsletter called "St. Dom e-Briefs."

Grace Fortunato has served the church through the vacation Bible school program, she helped edit the Parish Pad, worked with Bread for Life, and helped re-established a semi-annual blood drive at the church in 2003.

The Brooklyn-born couple credits the people and talents around them as a source of strength and enjoyment during their years of service.

"We couldn't have done it without a lot of other people who saw what we could do and were able to match our talents and gifts with their's and others," Fortunato said.

"We're only here for a moment in time to contribute to a collaborate effort with family, friends and neighbors in making his world a little better each day, not by talk but by action."

Although the humble Grace Fortunato feels other should have received the award, fellow parishioners such as John Leary said the couple's hard work and focus deserves recognition.

"For people to go into retirement with such a clear vision and focus on what they could accomplish is great," Leary said. "They always continues to give back more and more."

While Grace Fortunato said she's looking forward to a slightly slower pace, Fortunato is moving ahead full force. He continues to write a weekly column for Southington Patch, works with the Calendar House and does publicity work for a variety of organizations in the area.

He has also taken on special projects including scripting and co-producing "The Nativity Story: Birth of Jesus, King and Savior," a live musical performed at the church in December 2010.

Married for 59 years, the couple has five sons and three grandchildren, some of whom will attend the award ceremony on Sunday, March 20, when Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will present the couple the award at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford.

"It's a real honor," Fortunato said. "It's nice to be recognized but more importantly I hope the publicizing of this kind of thing will encourage others to become active in their own way."