Pasquale Tortolano

ROYALTON—Pasquale J. Tortolano, 76, died Monday, July 9, 2007 at his home.

He was born September 23, 1930 in Cassino, Italy, the son of Francesco and Vincenza (DiPonio) Tortolano.

He moved to the United States with his family in 1934. He attended Woburn, Mass. schools and graduated from Woburn High School in 1948. Following his education, he served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Mississippi during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned home and went to the Medford (Mass.) Vocational School, where he studied plumbing. After receiving his plumber’s, license he worked for Polaroid in Cambridge, Mass. for 15 years.

He married Madeline Coccoluto May 4, 1952 in Woburn. The Tortolanos moved to Royalton in 1972, where he founded Royal Plumbing and Heating, which he owned and operated until his son took over the business in 1995. He was a licensed Master Plumber in both Massachusetts and Vermont.

He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, gardening, woodworking, making bird feeders and golfing. He especially loved spending time with his family and was known for his sense of humor.

His memberships included St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bethel, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion’s Montpelier Post. He was a past president of both the Bethel Rotary and the Montague Golf Club in Randolph.

Survivors include his wife, Madeline Tortolano of Royalton; four sons: Edward Tortolano of Key West, Fla.; David Tortolano of Marathon, Fla.; Paul Tortolano of Royalton, and Daniel Tortolano of Yuma, Ariz.; four daughters: Debra Farrell of Ramrod, Fla.; Joanne Tortolano of Royalton, Sandra Butson of Lisbon, N.H.; and Susan Tortolano of Royalton; a sister, Mary Marciano of Woburn, Mass.; and eight grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bethel. Private committal services will be held at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Calling hours will be Sunday, July 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the S. Royalton Fire & Rescue Squad, PO Box 482, S. Royalton, Vt. 05068.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Day Funeral Home of Randolph.

____________