Belleville Obituary: Frank (Chic) Fortunato, Army Vet, Ex-Owner Branch Brook Lanes

Belleville resident Frank (Chic) Fortunato passed away on Feb. 19.

The following obituary comes courtesy of the Megaro Memorial Home:

“Frank P. (Chic) Fortunato 86 of Belleville passed away Friday, February 19, 2016 in the New Jersey Veterans Home, Paramus, N.J.

“Frank was the loving son of the late Angelo and Maria (nee LoConte) Fortunato. Surviving are his sisters Lucretia Brizzi, Anna Bucciarelli, Grace DiPippa and Carmela Barbera. Frank was predeceased by his brothers brothers Vincent, John and Carmen Fortunato.

“Chic was a lifelong resident of Belleville. He would meet his friends at McDonalds on Washington Ave every day for coffee and would drive them friends to the doctor’s office or the dialysis center. Chic was a long time member of the Belleville Political and Social Club. His bookcase and coat rack are on display with a plaque on them, many members call him “Uncle Chic” showing their love and respect.

“Chic was the former owner of Branch Brook Lanes in Belleville for 10 years. If you wanted to improve your score, Chic was there, if you had to clean snow from your driveway or need a ride to a doctor’s office, borrow a car, company to watch the Super Bowl, fellow members of the BPSC needed a ride to the racetrack; he was there. Chic continued the family tradition of the Fortunato Christmas dinner in Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Through the years as the family grew and expanded he continued by hosting it at the Belleville Political & Social Club. The annual Fortunato Family Christmas photo can testify that the family attendees varied from 65 to 80 depending upon who was able to make it. You never left hungry.

“Chic was a veteran of the US Army serving with honor. For the past year Frank resided at the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus, NJ. He entered the Army on September 1951 and was Honorably Discharged November 1959. He received a Korean Service Medal W/3 Bronze Service Stars plus a United States Service Medal. Frank never talked about his days in the army because he thought he was bragging, in fact his mom tossed out his medals so as not to remind him. It took some prodding from his brother Carmen to finally get some information about his experiences in the war. Shy as he was, he did not receive a Purple Heart because he just accepted the injuries (frost bite, shrapnel and hearing loss) and moved on. Many years later his younger brother Carmen sought to get his medical records from the Battle of Triangle Hill (October 14, 1952) where he was wounded. His artillery battery was providing direct fire support for the assault. Apparently his medical records were destroyed in a fire. After a careful examination, in 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a medical pension related to some of his claims. Even when he was living at the Veterans Memorial Home, he chose to wear his New York Mets hat and not his Korean War Veterans hat.

“Chic was the big brother to Vinnie, John & Carmen, Dolly, Anna, Grace and Carmela. He was their quiet and forceful protector, always ready to play softball with the guys, their moral guide, fiscal guide and would sacrifice for any and all Chic was the “Uncle” and the patriarch of the Fortunato family he treated his nieces and nephews the same, as if they were his kids. If you had a special project around the house, putting a Christmas toy together, making raviolis, moving, fixing the plumbing, finishing your basement or planting a garden he was there.”