PAUL ANTHONY FORTUNATO

OBITUARY

age 85, beloved husband for 64 years of Gayle (nee Rocco); loving and proud father of Paul Jr. (wife Sarah), Gregory (wife Kimberly), and Jeffrey (wife Melissa); devoted Papa of Michelle, Paul III, Julia, Joseph, Taylor, Charis, Lily, Charlotte, Sophia, and Layla; cherished son of the late Joseph and Michelina (nee Giurbino) Fortunato; brother of Ross and the late Frank and Joseph Fortunato; treasured brother-in-law of Kenneth Rocco; dear uncle, great-uncle, godfather, friend, and role model to many; preceded in death by his canine companions, Pepper and Casper. Paul was born on January 6, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. Raised in the Catholic faith, Paul was a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church for more than 50 years. He grew up near East 110th Street and Woodland Avenue and was a 1960 graduate of John Adams High School. Following his graduation, and like each of his three brothers, he served in the U.S Navy, attaining the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class. As a youth in the 1950s, he worked at the neighborhood grocery store and as a paperboy delivering The Cleveland Press. As a young husband in the 1960s, he began a career of more than 30 years with The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. During his career, Paul worked in a downtown Cleveland laboratory, where he tested and calibrated instruments; at the Eastlake Power Plant; and ultimately at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, where he served as a Contract Administrator. Outside of work, Paul found joy in building dollhouses and rocking horses for his grandchildren and in crafting furniture for his family. Most importantly, Paul’s proudest accomplishment was being a loving and devoted husband, and a loving and proud Dad and Papa to his three sons and ten grandchildren. Proud of his Sicilian and Italian roots, he was a long-time member of the Americans of Italian Heritage. In addition, although not a formal club, his neighborhood group of friends was a central part of his social life, and you could find Paul, without fail, with the same crew at Panera’s every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Paul’s calling card was his work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, honesty, integrity, and unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Without question, the center of his life and his greatest joy was his family, especially the love of his life, Gayle. These qualities defined the man he was, the way he lived, and the legacy he leaves for all who knew and loved him. Paul will be dearly missed by many. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Paul to the Lake County Humane Society. Family and friends are requested to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd, Concord, OH 44077 at 11 AM. Cremation following by DeJohn Crematory. Private Burial Thursday, July 23, 2026, at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Paul at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) TUESDAY, July 21, 2026, 3-6 PM. Online obituary, guestbook, & order flowers at www.DeJohnCares.com

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Marshals arrested a man at the same home where a Tennessee woman’s body was found last week.

According to authorities, 44-year-old Matthew Hensley was spotted by Marshals while hiding in a cabinet near a window at the home on Bosworth Road.

“They pulled him out of there, and I said, ‘Oh my god, that’s him, that’s him, that’s him,’” neighbor Sol Galarza said.

A passerby captured Hensley’s arrest on his cell phone. The video shows Hensley barefoot and barely dressed, walking arm-in-arm with SWAT officers.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department wanted Hensley for failing to register his address after a conviction of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

He also had additional charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor from an indictment in 2022.

“He was wanted for failure to register and also having unlawful contact with a minor, so the sooner we get him off the streets, the better,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said.

Authorities spent months searching for him. After receiving many tips, Marshals staked out the house Thursday night and went in Friday morning.

“One of our investigators felt it in his heart that he probably had a hidden space within that house, and sure enough, when we hit that spot today, he was hiding behind this wall,” Elliott said.

Last week, Cleveland police found a woman’s body in the backyard of the same house. Hensley has not been charged in connection with her death.

Tennessee woman who went missing with young daughter found dead in Cleveland

Xbox. A girl at a fire station. A body in a yard. Investigators search for clues about woman’s fatal journey.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office identified the woman as 37-year-old Amber Graham.

Graham’s 8-year-old daughter turned up at a Cleveland firehouse and is safe with Child Protective Services.

Police in Spring Hill, Tennessee, which is just south of Nashville, have been looking for Graham since last week.

Cleveland police call records show reports that the girl’s mom, Amber Graham, was being held by Matthew Hensley.

“I seen her walking to the store, I think that’s when she first came, I seen the truck the out-of-state plates,” Robert Bercar said.

Bercar lives next door to the house where Graham’s body was found.

“Until they can figure out what happened to the woman from Tennessee, right, I think that’s the best place,” Bercar said.

Cleveland Police have not released any further details and are awaiting the medical examiner’s ruling before determining whether this is a criminal case.

Hensley is in the Cuyahoga County jail.

News 5 has yet to learn how Graham died and how her daughter ended up at a fire station.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland police say a 23-year-old woman died in May after being thrown from an ATV, and officers need your help tracking down persons of interest.

The horrific incident took place on May 17 during a street takeover in the area of East 100th Street and Buckeye Avenue in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood.

Officers say Yarianalie Garcia, from Lakewood, fell from the ATV when the operator performed a wheelie.

According to police, the operator stopped for a short time but did not help Garcia and left.

She later died at a local hospital.

Councilman calls for accountability

Cleveland City Councilman Blaine Griffin, who represents the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood, said gatherings involving dirt bikes and ATVs have grown dangerously out of control in Northeast Ohio.

“Even though this is a result of reckless behavior, somebody lost a life — and we lost a dear, cherished person of the city of Cleveland,” Griffin said.

Griffin said the events can escalate quickly.

“These things often might sound like they start off as innocent, a fun Sunday Funday, but then they turn into tragedy, like the loss of this life,” he said.

Griffin also directed a message to anyone who was present that day.

“First and foremost, I hope that the person who was driving the vehicle actually has a conscience and turns themselves in — because the family is going to want justice,” Griffin said.

Now, Cleveland police have released several photos in a push to identify the ATV operator and a second witness on a white dirt bike.

Anyone with information is asked to call 216-623-5295.