ORVILLE WILLIS FORTE

1918 - 2014

FORTE, Orville Willis Jr. Passed away on September 5th, 2014. He was born in Springfield, Mass. on March 17, 1918 and lived his early life in Newton, Weston and Marion, Mass. eventually retiring to Naples, FL. In 1941 he married Constance Smith and they had five children. Orville III of Squaw Valley, CA, Richard (Mariele) of S. Natick, MA, Constance Pellerin (David), of Ft. Myers, FL. Barbara, of Fort Myers, FL, Peter (Carol Ann) of Palisade, CO. After Connie's death in 1986 he married Marion Tucker Rannisto who has two children Erika Rannisto Simon (Jeffrey) of Berkeley, CA, and Kristian Rannisto, of N. Conway, NH. Besides his wife, Orville leaves five children, two step children, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grand-children, sixteen nieces and nephews, as well as two brothers John Forte and William Forte (Mary Jane) sister-in-law Joan Forte all of Naples, FL. Predeceased by brothers Paul and Donald Forte and sister Beth. After graduating from Tabor Academy and attending Hobart College he went to work in the family wool business in 1936. After three years in the Navy during WW II he returned to take on the merchandising of Cashmere and Camel Hair which was a new venture for the company. Eventually he bought out his division which he owned until his retirement. He enjoyed his work, and traveling to and dealing with his suppliers in the then romantic areas of Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mongolia. In the mid 1940's he was part of the first group of American business men to visit China in the short interval between the exit of the Japanese and the complete take over by Chairman Mao. He was again among the first back in China some 30 or so years later when Americans were once again permitted to visit there. With the U.S. embargo on raw materials originating in China, starting in the late 40's, his only source of fine cashmere and camel hair was Outer Mongolia a tightly controlled Russian satellite. Thus he was a frequent visitor of Moscow at the time when every American there was theoretically suspicious and under careful surveillance. Junie was an active sportsman enjoying particularly fishing, golf, tennis, and skiing at which he participated until at age 85 prudence dictated that it was time to "hang up the boards". Tight lines my dear Junie. Memorial gifts may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105 and Planned Parenthood of Collier County, 1425 Creech Rd, Naples, FL 34103. Celebration of Junie's life will take place later in October. For online condolences, please visit www.fullernaples.com