Lewis Clement Patrick Tortora

Northville, MI - Lewis Clement Patrick Tortora, age 75, formerly of Leetonia, passed away peacefully in the company of his family on October 9, 2008, joining his son, Stephen Lewis and granddaughter, Nicole Rae.

Clem was born October 3, 1933 in Leetonia, OH, a son of the late Patrick and Mary Legora Tortora. He was the beloved husband of the former Mary Catherine Duko; loving father of Patrick (Kim) Tortora, of Northville, MI, Julie (Tim) Baechler of Plymouth, MI, and Amy Tortora, of Northville, MI. He was the proud grandfather of Brocton, Lou and Stephen and cherished brother of Marlene "Mert" Tortora-Frenger of Salem, OH.

Clem was a graduate of Leetonia High School and attended Youngstown State University on a football scholarship. He served in the United States Army for two years, and was stationed in Orleans, France.

Clem spent the majority of his career with Kemper Insurance before leaving the company, once the Michigan office closed, in order to avoid moving his settled family from Michigan. He then worked for Great American Insurance before retiring in 1996. During his 12 years of retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Mary Catherine and his family, playing golf with his friends in Michigan during the summer, and spending the winters at their home in Bonita Springs, FL, golfing at Palmira Country Club.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 17th from 7-9 p.m. and from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 18th at 12 noon at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Leetonia with the Reverend Thomas Eisweirth officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the Leetonia High School Athletic Department or St. Patrick's Catholic Church, for their restoration fund, c/o Tortora, PO Box 649, Northville, MI 48167. Sign the register and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com