Local supermarket founder dies

The man who started the Fortino’s supermarket chain has died of cancer.

John Fortino was 76. He started a small grocery store in Hamilton back in 1961 and built it into one of the most successful independent chains in Canada. Loblaw bought the chain back in 1988, but kept the Fortinos name because of customer loyalty.

John Fortino had won several awards for community involvement. He was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction and received the Order of Italy, Italo-Canadian Citizen of the Year.