I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fortunato when I interviewed for a position as a Science teacher. I was a young woman, fresh out of college with no teaching experience. But he had enough confidence in me and offered me a position. I was so grateful to him. I worked at UHS for a few months before deciding to resume medical school. I felt terrible giving him my leave notice but he was so supportive of my dream. I just graduated medical school and am applying for a residency position in pediatrics. I was just working on my resume and filling in work experience and went to the UHS website where I learned of this sad news. While I knew him only briefly, I could tell he was a very family-oriented man who kept many pictures of his family in his office. He was so down-to-earth and very approachable. Everyone at the school held him in such high regards. My condolences for your loss. RIP Mr. Fortunato.

my dear sandy and marlene and tony i would have attended but was told it was for immediate family which I thought I was, I was just diagnosed with my husband with lyme disease and was quite ill during that time, I thought SJ was beyond teriffic and I am so sad, with such busy lives we have, it is a shame we lost some contact, love to all the children, SJ will always be in my prayers much love cousin Sondra Fortunato aka miss libertyUSA AND MORE

Sandy,

We were saddened to hear of SJ's passing. We had a little group of Jefferson School buddies we tried to get him into. We hoped that he would eventually get together with us.
Condolences.

Sandy - wherever you are - I was so sorry to hear about Sam. You both were an integral part of my childhood. I know it must be a great loss and I send my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Arleen (Winston) Goldman

Dear Sandy,
I was one of your Jefferson Elementary School friends. I was saddened to hear about Sam. I have been reading some wonderful tributes to his work as Union HS principal.

You and Sam, as well as other Jefferson School friends, were an important part of my childhood.

With fond memories,
Judy Stone Magee
Wilmington DE

Dear Sandy,
I was one of your Jefferson Elementary School friends. I was saddened to hear about Sam. I have been reading some wonderful tributes to his work as Union HS principal.

You and Sam, as well as other Jefferson School friends, were an important part of my childhood.

With fond memories,
Judy Stone Magee

I didn't know Mr. Fortunato for that long of a time, as I was his nurse for several days at Memorial Sloan Kettering during his stay. However, even in that short period of time, I could see how much he loved his family and how much they loved him. I always enjoyed the time I spent with him and his family, as did my colleagues. He gave me a t shirt from Long Beach Island, which I will always hold on to. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him and I hope he is at peace.

Dear Sandy and Marlene, it has been many many years since we knew each other in high school. I want to tell you how deeply saddened I felt learning about SJ's illness and passing away. He was such an important part of my high school life and remained a vivid memory all these years. My deepest condolences to you on your profound loss. I know he was a wonderful man who left his empowering mark on many young people who will always remember him.

Fondly,

Vicki

I can remember Mr. Fortunato going back to my elementary school days back at Conn. Farms in the early 80's. And one memory in particular, one that I will never seem to forget, (now 30 years ago) is a beautiful morning in the playground of Conn. Farms playing kickball. For no particular reason at all, while playing the field and impatiently waiting for a ball to come my way to show off my 7year old stuff, Mr. Fortunato, our principal, comes up next to me, says nothing, and stands there.
Mind racing, nerves shaking as the seconds go by with no word, I begin to panic. Finally he speaks "Everything going Ok?", he says. At that very moment, my time to "shine" unexpectidly happens. The potential final out of the inning comes flying my way, and without more than a step from where I stood, (near paralized at this point from the intimidatingly large man standing right next to me) I make, what ESPN would have been sure to show on a highlight reel, an awesome catch! With the ball now in my hands, gripped tight (as if it was my blanket in days of old) I look up to him to hear what I thought at this point was my doomed fate - although I had no reason to believe that I, a newcomer to the school in midyear, had done anything wrong. Mr. Fortunato smiles and says, "Nice catch! - now that's how you play kickball"..."keep up the good work". - and walks away. I smiled too, and ran back in to my team for my much deserved, "that a boy and high fives!"
I go on to graduate from elementary school at Conn. Farms only to find out some years later, Mr. Fortuanto, is now my high school principal. I went up to him, which was at this point some 8 years later or so, and recalled this story to him. He had replied with what I would say was a courtesy, "oh yeah" - but I suspect by the look on his face as I remeber, he really didn't - that didn't matter. All that mattered was back in the day, my elementary school principal, took a minute out of his morning to to encourage me, someone whom he had never met until that moment. And I truly believe that I was not the only one. He was a good man, a great man the way I saw it. Someone who cared about teaching kids to become successful in life and above all, a good person.
I am very sorry to hear this world has lost such a good person. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. And I hope he finds the time to look down from heaven my way, and see what a good job he did - even if for a moment. And you don't have to say a word, I know what's on your mind.

I am so very sorry to hear of Sam's passing,it saddens me greatly.Although I was not coached by him at SHP,he did coach one or two of my brothers.He was my kind of coach.I did get the opportunity to coach with him at SHP and we always had a lot of fun working together with Tony and our coaching staff.I guess it was around 10 yrs ago that I was thinking of getting back into teaching/coaching(idiot Iwas to have left) that I called Sam and we talked.I know that those who knew him,played for him,or coached with him held him in the highest regard...My deepest sympathies,Billy

I had 4 children who had Mr. Fortunato as a principal. They had him all thru grammer school then all thru high school as well, he had become a friend and i want his family to know i send my deepest condolences and love

I had the pleasure of having Mr. Fortunato twice....first he was my elementary prinical and then as a high school prinical..
Mr.Fortunato was one of a kind...he believed in me when I believed in myself..he taught me how not to give up and I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to..for that I will ever be grateful
I know that he is in heaven smiling down at us...