Joseph Ortenzi, 87, Howled on two bowling leagues

He was born June 8, 1917 in Royal, Pennsylvania and had resided in Lorain since childhood. He graduated from Lorain High School and then served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Mr. Ortenzi worked at U.S. Steel in Lorain as an electrician fro 42 years. On the day of his retirement his family escorted him off in a limousine.

Mr. Ortenzi was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, the Italian American Veterans Post #1 of Lorain and United Steelworkers Local #1104.

He enjoyed dancing with his girlfriend Ginny Plumb at I.A.V. dances, and was known to all as “The Godfather” because the band played the theme from the Godfather movie when he arrived at the dance hall. He howled on two bowling leagues at Rebman Recreation in Lorain and gulfed every Sunday with his family. One of the greatest joys in his life was his great-grandchildren whom he played with every week.

He is survived by his son Joseph Ortenzi of North Ridgeville, daughters Marie Bari of Garfield Heights and Elaine Campana of Lorain, sisters Maria Paul of Avon Lake and Mae Capocasa of Amherst; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and his companion of 15 years Ginny Plumb of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Dorothy “Dolly” Ortenzi (nee Alu) in 1986, parents Angelo and Maria Luigla Ortenzi (nee D’Alessandro), brothers Samuel Ortenzi, Angelo Ortenzi, and Emidio Ortenzi, and his sisters Olive Tocchi Ann, Mantini, Laura Calabreese, Dorothy Ortenzi, and Emma Ortenzi.

The family will receive friends Thursday 2-8 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave. Lorain where the Italian-American Veterans Post #1 will conduct a memorial service Thursday at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral chapel followed by a funeral mass at 1 p.m. at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain The Rev. Kenneth Wolonowski, pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, where the Italian-American Veterans Post #1 will conduct full military honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 43099 N. Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH, 44035.

Online condolences can be left at www.gluvna.net.