Esther (Losapio) Fortner of Orlando, FL and Chatham, MA passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at Florida Hospital Altamonte, FL on January 20, 2012, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, a musician, drummer and semi pro golfer, Robert “Bob” Fortner, of Avoca, IN, her Italian immigrant parents, Mauro and Jennie (Avellino) Losapio, and a sister, Lucy, all of Orlando, FL and formerly of Worcester, MA.
Born in Worcester on March 28, 1940, Esther was the youngest of four siblings. Esther was a bright, energetic and very inquisitive child. She loved people, nature, bible study and adventures. She showed a talent at an early age for music and began piano, clarinet and voice training. She attended the former Grafton St. Jr. High School where she played clarinet in the school band, sang in the chorus and began her solo singing career. As a member of The New England Order of Rainbow for Girls, she was the chosen soloist for many installations and conventions. She was awarded The Grand Cross of Color, the highest award of the Order.
Esther performed in the former Commerce High School band and orchestra, participated in theatre and dance productions, and played field hockey. She studied piano, organ, and voice privately, and was selected to perform as class soloist for her 1958 Commerce High School graduation ceremony. She had a principal role in the Worcester County Light Opera production of “Song of Norway” that year which sparked her love for musical theatre and opera.
After high school, Esther took college courses while working in Worcester. In 1960, while working in Boston, she auditioned successfully and joined the original Broadway touring company of “My Fair Lady”, traveling for eight months throughout the United States, singing and dancing in cameo roles.
In 1964, Esther began work in a temporary position at the Philip Morris Company in New York City which developed into her successful career there. Positions she held included the Manager of Marketing Promotions, Manager of Special Media, and Manager of Special Trade Events. She was involved in the planning, scheduling, marketing, advertising and client relations for major events and series sponsored by Philip Morris for the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the Women’s Tennis Association, the PGA Tour, thoroughbred racing and the America’s Cup. She served a vast clientele who were the recipients of her caring, cheerful, thoughtful, and precise personality and work ethic. Many of the “greats” in those organizations became her dearest friends. She was also proud of her involvement in the development of the 1985 Virginia Slims American Women’s Opinion Poll published by The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Connecticut.
Travel was one of the joys of Esther’s life, beginning with a daring solo bus trip at age 13 to Washington, DC. Esther’s retirement from Philip Morris in 1993 allowed more opportunities to travel. She and her sister Anna participated in concert tours, singing with the Worcester Chorus, choruses of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Blackstone Valley Chorale and the Great Waters Music Festival. They performed in Russia, Italy, Austria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Scandinavia, New Hampshire, Martha’s Vineyard and Virginia. In 2002, they participated in a select chorus in the televised July 4th celebration with the Boston Pops. Esther’s life-long wish to visit the Holy Land and other religious sites in Italy and Israel came to fruition in Sept. 2011 when she was unaware that she had just a few months to live. She and Anna with members of the Ligonier Ministries, toured Rome, cruised to the Holy Land, and visited the major sites of the seat of Christianity with stops in Greece and Turkey.
Baptized at age 11 in the Italian Baptist Church in Worcester, her thirst for biblical knowledge and church music continued throughout her life. In the New York metro area, she attended and sang with the choirs of the Brick Church and The Reformed Church of Bronxville. In Orlando, FL, she was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of Sanford where she was in the choir, the Bell Ringers, and did volunteer work.
Since 1991, Esther spent summers in “Nina’s Nest” in South Chatham, MA (Cape Cod) where there was always an open door and food on the table, especially her homemade “ragu.” Having a house filled with children, neighbors, family and friends brought her great joy. She attended the Presbyterian Church of Cape Cod. Love for the ocean, beaching with Bob and her family and friends, tending to her flower gardens, feeding “her” birds, and walking all the beaches was “the best.” She was a member of the Chatham Walkers. She was a docent for the historical Mayo and Nickerson houses in Chatham where she conducted tours and gave demonstrations of early settlers’ cooking and gardening. She delighted in relating Cape Cod history to tourists from near and far.
Esther is survived by her sister Anna Granquist of Holden, MA; her brother Thomas Losapio and wife Ruth of Orlando, FL; nieces and nephews Carrie (Losapio) and Robert Allard (FL), Laurie Losapio (FL), Lisa Granquist and Thomas Dorward (MA), Daniel and Michele Losapio (FL), William and Kristy Losapio (FL), Steven Losapio (FL), David Granquist and Laurie Johnson (MA); great nieces, great nephews, an aunt and uncle and cousins and hosts of very dear friends and colleagues. She spread her kindness, compassion, generosity and joy of life to all whom she came in contact, and much love was returned. Love and concern for her family was always top priority. She will be missed tremendously by all who knew her.
There will be two memorial celebrations to honor Esther. Saturday, May 19 at 10:00am at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sanford, FL Dr. R.C. Sproul officiating, followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Saturday, June 16 at 10:30am at The Presbyterian Church of Cape Cod, West Barnstable, MA, the Rev. James A La Belle, officiating, followed by a reception in the church hall.
Graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, June 30 at 11am, in Grove Cemetery, Main St., Holden, MA followed by a luncheon for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Esther’s memory to any of the following: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 5525 Wayside Dr., Sanford, FL 32771; The Salvation Army, 416 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32804; The Presbyterian Church of Cape Cod, 2391 Iyannough Rd., West Barnstable, MA 02668 , or The Salvation Army, 100 North St., Hyannis, MA 02601.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605. To share a memory or leave a special message, please click link below.