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O L D * W O R L D * S H O P P I N G 1 9 0 7 Third Generation: 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 Third Generation: 1977- |
Fortino's is now in its third generation of family operation. Margaret Michlitsch is the fourth child of Paul & Mary Jane Fortino. She was born December 13, 1950 and graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1969. She also attended Muskegon Community College.
Her husband Ken was born in Eden, South Dakota, a town of 200 people, on December 11, 1946. His father owned a farm, as well as a small general store. Ken graduated with honors from South Dakota State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He was commissioned as an officer in the Navy in that same year and served two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He was then given a shoreside duty as an R.O.T.C. instructor at the University of Notre Dame. At the same time, he pursued his Master's degree in Mathematics, which he received with honors in 1973. Ken became close friends with a fellow R.O.T.C. instructor named Paul Fortino, Margie's brother. Paul couldn't imagine anyone better for his baby sister, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married May 26, 1973.
Ken remained active in the Navy through 1977. With the arrival of their first two children, Jeff and Ken Jr., Marg and Ken decided it was time to stop moving around, as a Navy life demanded, and settle down. Ken left active duty and joined the Naval Reserves. They then returned to Grand Haven and fulfilled Margie's childhood dream by taking over Fortino's on November 14, 1977. They've run the business ever since.
Ken and Margie have four children in all. Jeff and Ken Jr. live in California, and Matt and Rita still live at home. Ken served in the Naval Reserves until 1997 when he retired as a full captain. Ken works at the store full-time with Margie often at his side.
History
Louis & Chiara Fortino 1907-1941
Paul & Mary Jane Fortino 1941-1977
