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O L D * W O R L D * S H O P P I N G 1 9 0 7 The Family Business: 1941-1977  |
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O L D * W O R L D * S H O P P I N G 1 9 0 7 The Family Business: 1941-1977 |
Fortino's entered its second generation in 1941 when it was purchased by Paul and Mary Jane Fortino. Paul was the second child of Louis & Chiara Fortino. He was born at home on April 6, 1913, and graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1931.
The exuberance of the 1920's were crushed by the hard realities of the Great Depression in the 1930's. But Paul was a boy of great scholastic aptitude, and his parent's were determined to provide him with opportunities they did not have. After 7 years of great financial hardship - years spent between work and school - he graduated Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He was the first in his family to graduate college.
One of only 3 students in his graduating class of Chemical Engineers to find a job, he went to work for Seagram's in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he met Mary Jane Knue. Jane was born August 31, 1916. She and Paul were married April 23, 1941. In February of the same year, Paul purchased Fortino's from his father, and the newlyweds moved to Grand Haven shortly after the wedding.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and America found itself immersed in the Second World War. Paul promptly joined the Army Corps of Engineers where he worked full-time for the next 5 years. During this period, the family business was primarily run by Jane with help from Louis and Chiara.
As the war drew to a close, Paul and Jane could see the writing on the wall. They recognized the coming era of supermarkets and the end of Ma and Pa grocery stores. Against the advice of many local merchants and friends, they changed Fortino's from a wholesale and retail produce store to a then-unheard-of gourmet food store. The change proved providencial: of the roughly 30 small grocers in town at the end of the war, Fortino's is the only one which remains.
In addition to the store, Paul was very active in the community. He served on many committees, including the Board of Directors of North Ottawa Community Hospital and Grand Haven State Bank (now Old Kent). He was also Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and the Finance Committee for the new high school built at 114 Cutler St. (now Lakeshore Middle School). His memberships included Downtown Unlimited, Elks, Eagles, and fourth degree Knights of Columbus. Jane and Paul were also lifelong members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Paul and Jane owned the store until 1977 when they sold it to their fourth child, Margaret, and her husband, Ken Michlitsch. Jane also ran a gift shop next door at 116 Washington for many years. Paul and Jane had five children in all. In addition to Margaret, they are: Mary (Fortino) Kohler of San Francisco, CA; Paul (Carol) Fortino of Portland, OR; Rita (John) Fortino Brook of Grand Haven; and John (Kathy) Fortino of Spring Lake, MI.
Sadly, Jane passed away on March 15, 1999; Paul followed five months later on August 13. We continue to mourn their loss and attempt to live in a manner that would make them proud.
History
Louis & Chiara Fortino 1907-1941
Kenneth & Margaret (Fortino) Michlitsch
1977-
