Joseph Lewis Stortini (born December 4, 1932) is an American restauranteer, educator, and politician in the state of Washington.

His parents met and eventually settled in Tacoma's 5th ward, which at the time was made up of predominately southern European immigrants.

During his early years in Tacoma's hilltop neighborhoods, he developed a passion for athletics.

[3] Stortini's affair with his employee, Susan Webstad, 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.