Dr. Fortunato C. Alano, Jr.

Dr. Fortunato C. Alano, Jr., 90, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on December 8, 2023. He was born in 1933, in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines, to the late Fortunato Carpio Alano, Sr. and Carmen Delfina de los Santos Cirineo. 

While his accomplishments are plentiful, Fort’s greatest achievement was the life he led -- filled with unparalleled generosity and profound love. He was a beacon of what the true essence of giving means. Having raised six wonderful children and becoming a beloved grandpa and great-grandpa, he lived a full life that brought joy and meaning to those fortunate enough to share it with him.

His dedication to education and to his medical profession was a record to reckon with. He graduated as the valedictorian in his high school class and attended the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was one of the pioneer graduates of the FEU-NRMF College of Medicine Class of 1957. Upon immigrating to the United States, Fort did his Internal Medicine residency at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. He followed his residency with stints at State Hospitals in Binghamton, New York, and Peoria, Illinois, and continued ongoing psychiatry training. While he had a private practice in Bloomfield, Indiana, where all of his children finished high school, he spent the majority of his career caring for patients at Richmond State Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Failing more than once at retirement, Fort practiced medicine for over 54 years.

He lived a healthy lifestyle, according to his standards, and never had an inpatient hospitalization until a first stroke at age 87. Despite his disability, he continued to bring joy and a loving presence to his family at each gathering. Living up to the “lucky” or “fortunate” meaning of his given name, he celebrated his milestone 90th birthday this year with dozens of family and friends, enjoying music, dancing and great food. He even traveled again shortly after, visiting other family members.

As the loving eldest brother to nine siblings, Fort began building his generosity of spirit early on. He is preceded in death by his brothers Medarlo Alano, Menelio Alano, Jose Alano and Vicente Alano, his sisters Fe Alano and Merced Ang, and his brother-in-law Victorio Bulatao.  In the words of his surviving siblings, “We will surely miss our very fatherly brother.”

Fort is survived by his loving wife, Gloria; his siblings: Dr. Ester Bulatao, Joaquin Alano, Dr. Calixto (Teresita) Alano; his sisters-in-law Ludy Alano, Soledad Alano, and his brother-in-law, Manny Ang; his children: Chris (Tanja) Alano, Andrew (Jeannie) Alano, Eric (Lisa) Alano, Dmitri (Julie) Alano, Brian (Becky) Alano and Danise (Mat) Alano-Martin, and their mother, Nancy Mitchell; his grandchildren: Nicole (Joe) Hanson, Nathan Alano, Chance Hunter, and Kristen (Tyler) Fannin; his great-grandchildren: Wesley, Melody and Kaia; and his many cherished nieces and nephews, extended families, and countless friends.

In the words of 2 Timothy 4:7: “He has fought a good fight, he has finished the course, and he has kept the faith.”

A visitation to honor him will be Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 2pm to 6pm at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, Ind., 325 E. Carmel Drive. A service will immediately follow at 6pm. To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dr. Fortunato C. Alano Jr.’s memory to Moments with Fr. Jerry Foundation, Inc. (facebook.com/frjerryorbos). The foundation supports the Catholic priests and brothers of the SVD missionaries from the Philippines.