Roy Fortune

Roy Robert Fortune, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin, died November 17, 2014 in Naples Florida. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 24, 1935 to Elsie (Goricher) Fortune and Joseph Fortune, and was the youngest of four children: Joseph (Genie), Virginia, and Dorothy (Vince) Russo. Roy joined the US Army while still a teenager and left Milwaukee traveling to Europe while serving as a medic. After serving his time and being honorably discharged from the Army, Roy returned to Milwaukee and attended the University of Wisconsin. During this time, Roy married and had two children. Graduating with a degree in Education, Roy moved to Madison, Wisconsin and began teaching at Van Hise/Orchard Ridge Middle school, now Toki Middle School, for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Because this was the early 1960’s, Roy was one of the first males in the female dominated profession of teaching. While beginning his teaching career, Roy’s family expanded to include two more children. Professionally, Roy thrived as a teacher. Roy’s teaching placement was as the librarian in the Library Media Center at Toki, and he built the LMC as a student and teacher resource for the next 25 years. Roy’s family joined him for many school activities. Family time during the summer included sorting books using the Dewey decimal system, and during the school year, Saturdays were spent helping and participating in the Student Enrichment program that Roy ran. Roy was also one of the early members of the Madison teacher’s union, MTI, going on to be an elected officer. After 25 years in his career, Roy retired and spent many years traveling the country in his motor home. These trips included visiting and staying with his children and grandchildren in Illinois, Maryland and Wisconsin; taking an active role in his extended family’s busy lives. Besides his great sense of humor and entertaining spirit, Roy will be remembered for his trivia excellence and fondness for card games, his entertaining and educational rhymes shared with his grandchildren, his love of dancing, and his desire to debate political viewpoints and policies. Survivors include Children: Rob (Donna) Fortune of Roscoe, IL; Gloria (Joe) Parsley of Frederick, MD; Lisa (Justin) Hollman of Fitchburg, WI; and Russ (Julie) Fortune of Beaver Dam, WI. Grandchildren: Jacob (Jeni) Fortune, Michelle (Marty) Alstad, Matthew Fortune, Jessica (Kevin) Cummings, Melissa Parsley, Danielle Parsley, MaryJo Parsley, Joey Parsley, Lea Paris, Kathryn Lomasney, Ellie Lomasney, Kelsey Fortune, Nick Fortune, and Gabe Fortune, Great Grandchildren: Ashley, Lucas, Jayden, Stephen, Aiden and Randy. Brother: Joseph (Genie) Fortune, and many Fortune and Russo nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by his parents and sisters. Roy’s wishes were that those who cared to, would gather, share stories, and “have a beer”. A celebration of Roy Fortune's life will be held from 5:00pm - 8:00pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at the Elks Club, 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702.