1915
Edmund
2007
Edmund Tortolani
July 7, 1915 — September 13, 2007
Tortolani, Edmund C., “The Georgia Peach”, 92, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2007 with his wife of 65 years, Irma, and his children at his side. He was the son of the late Giustino and Assunta (Mariano) Tortolani. The family emigrated from Citta’di Cervaro, Provenza di Frosinone, Italy.
Edmund was a graduate of Classical High School, class of 1935, and a Rhode Island school-boy champion free-style swimmer. He was admitted to Brown University, class of 1939, but dropped out to work and help his family during the depression. In early 1941, he enlisted in the US Army and later graduated first in his class from Officer’s Candidate School. While stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, he was a correspondent for the US Army’s Stars and Stripes Newspaper; he wrote a popular column under the pen name “The Georgia Peach.” Lt. Tortolani was later sent to Europe with the 42nd Infantry Division. He was a company commander and served in England, France, Belgium and Italy. After the liberation of Paris, he commanded a prisoner of war camp for German POW’s in Cherbourg, France. He was very proud of his military service and loved to tell his children and grandchildren stories of his time in the military. In August 1995, at the age of 80, he marched in his WWII uniform in a 50th anniversary parade celebrating the end of WWII. It was one of his family’s proudest moments.
Mr. Tortolani was a wholesale costume jeweler for over 40 years. His firm, the Artistic Jewelry Company, became one of the largest distributors of earrings in the eastern United States.
Edmund is survived by his wife, Irma (Avarista) Tortolani; and 3 sons, Dr. Edmund C. Tortolani of Columbia, MD, Alan R. Tortolani of Harrisville, and Kenneth R. Tortolani of Greenville, RI. He was the father of the late Richard D. Tortolani. He is also survived by a daughter, Maria. Mr. Tortolani also leaves 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Tortolani and was the brother of the late Oresto, Ralph and Fred Tortolani, Melina Stabile, Elda Verrecchia, Blanche Louchunas, Florence Blackston, and Evelyn Santopietro.
His funeral and burial will be private.
Edmund was a graduate of Classical High School, class of 1935, and a Rhode Island school-boy champion free-style swimmer. He was admitted to Brown University, class of 1939, but dropped out to work and help his family during the depression. In early 1941, he enlisted in the US Army and later graduated first in his class from Officer’s Candidate School. While stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, he was a correspondent for the US Army’s Stars and Stripes Newspaper; he wrote a popular column under the pen name “The Georgia Peach.” Lt. Tortolani was later sent to Europe with the 42nd Infantry Division. He was a company commander and served in England, France, Belgium and Italy. After the liberation of Paris, he commanded a prisoner of war camp for German POW’s in Cherbourg, France. He was very proud of his military service and loved to tell his children and grandchildren stories of his time in the military. In August 1995, at the age of 80, he marched in his WWII uniform in a 50th anniversary parade celebrating the end of WWII. It was one of his family’s proudest moments.
Mr. Tortolani was a wholesale costume jeweler for over 40 years. His firm, the Artistic Jewelry Company, became one of the largest distributors of earrings in the eastern United States.
Edmund is survived by his wife, Irma (Avarista) Tortolani; and 3 sons, Dr. Edmund C. Tortolani of Columbia, MD, Alan R. Tortolani of Harrisville, and Kenneth R. Tortolani of Greenville, RI. He was the father of the late Richard D. Tortolani. He is also survived by a daughter, Maria. Mr. Tortolani also leaves 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Tortolani and was the brother of the late Oresto, Ralph and Fred Tortolani, Melina Stabile, Elda Verrecchia, Blanche Louchunas, Florence Blackston, and Evelyn Santopietro.
His funeral and burial will be private.
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