John Fortunato was an umpire in the Halifax and District League and, through his personality and competence, he added immeasurably to the popularity of a league that would become the finest in the history of baseball in the Maritime Provinces.

H&D League president Harry Butler brought Fortunato, who was already an established basketball referee, to Halifax from Lewiston, Maine, where he was making a name for himself in New England’s professional baseball leagues.

Fortunato made umpiring popular in Nova Scotia. He exuded charm, quipped with players and the crowd, and kidded with sports writers. He could never forget the tremendous reception the huge crowd gave him at the Wanderers Grounds in 1949, when he called the game between the Capitals of the H&D League and the amateur champions of the United States, Equitable Life. The Capitals won the game 7-6 in ten innings.

Fortunato also had a remarkable career in Nova Scotia as a basketball referee.