Placido Salvatore Fortino, 93, of Bethlehem, died August 22, 2017, at Moravian Village. Born in Easton, he was a son of Filippo Fortino and Sebastiana Mattina Fortino, Sicilian immigrants. He was the husband of the late Ruth Schantz Fortino.

He was a 1941 graduate of Easton HS.

He was a World War II veteran with the First Cavalry Division in the Philippines.

He had a long scientific career with Bell Laboratories, Allentown.

He worked for civil rights and fair housing in the local Bethlehem area. He combined his interests in classical music and woodworking to build three harpsichords, one of which resides at Moravian College.

He is survived by three daughters, Sally of Basel, Switzerland, Lucy of Bethlehem and Victoria of Nahant, Mass.; and a sister, Nita Fortino Wismer of Easton.

Contributions may be sent to Lucy Fortino, 2619 Ambassador Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017.