GLOUCESTER: Vincie V. (Orlando) Fortado died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at the Addison Gilbert Hospital following an extended illness.
Born in Gloucester, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Grace (Nicastro) Orlando. She had been a lifelong resident of Gloucester and attended Gloucester public schools.
Vincie was one of the first employees of the former Cape Ann Nursing Home, now known as Golden Living Center. She began as a nurse’s aide and later became the activities director, a position which suited her personality well. She had a tremendous understanding and compassion for the residents. In fact, she loved her work so much that she often took it home with her. The family recalls the many residents she would bring home to help them celebrate the holidays. In December of 1976, she was honored to place a packet of information pertaining to the residents into a time capsule, which is to be opened in the year 2076.
Also known to have a wonderful singing voice, she was a former member of the Peabody North Shore Singers, which traveled about the area performing for local nursing homes. When she became a resident of the Golden Living Center, each event was concluded with Vincie singing “God Bless America.”
She is survived by her children, Grace “Gay” Tognazzi of Gloucester, Frederick, III, husband of Laurie Fortado of San Diego, CA, and Jo Ann Figurido of Essex; sister, Mary, wife of Vincent Saputo; sister-in-law, Betty Orlando all of Gloucester; ten grandchildren, Fred, Darlene, Richie, Christy and Brenda Fortado all of San Diego, CA, Paul, Angela and Thomas Tognazzi, fiancé of Ashlie Dias all of Gloucester, Richard Figurido, companion of Donna Anastasi of Essex, Bruce and Maria Figurido both of Gloucester, great-grandchildren including, Justin Figurido of Essex and Isabella Figurido of Gloucester, and many others in San Diego. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Josephine Aiello and Nina Foley; three brothers, Samuel and Joseph Orlando, and infant, Salvatore Orlando; her son-in-law, Bruce Figurido; grandson, Jonathan Figurido; and her longtime companion, George Hazen.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning at St. John the Baptist Church, Essex at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory c/o Jo Ann Figurido, 1 Grove St., Essex, MA 01929 to privide care and nutrician for the elderly of Cape Ann.