Joe Stortini

Stortini was born in Tacoma, Washington, to Giuseppe Stortini and Giuseppina Piazza, both Italian immigrants. Stortini's father immigrated from Port Sant'Elpidio in 1914. During his early years he developed a passion for athletics. He attended University of Puget Sound, where he played both football and baseball. After graduating with a degree in education, he went on to Oregon State University, receiving a master's degree in education.[1]

Stortini started his career as a public high school teacher in the Tacoma Public School district, where he worked from 1955 to 1975.[2] In the late 1980s, he opened the Mama Stortini's restaurant, which he later sold.[3] In 1984, Stortini was elected Pierce County Executive.[4]

Stortini served two terms in the state Senate, two terms on the Pierce County Board of County Commissioners, and was elected twice as county executive.[5]

Stortini opened the Joeseppi's Italian restaurant in November, 2005.[3]

Stortini's affair with his employee, Susan Websted, was brought to light when he made a 911 call after she overdosed.[6] A wrongful-death suit against Stortini by her estate was dismissed, with the appeals court finding that "Washington law provides no general duty to protect others from self-inflicted harm."[7]