John Forte Sr.

John M. Forte Sr. VIRGINIA BEACH - John Michael Forte Sr. passed away Dec. 6, 2009 at his home after a long battle with heart disease. Mr. Forte was born in the Bronx, N.Y., Nov. 6, 1926 to Pasquale and Mary (Fillibelli) Forte. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Barbara (Forte) Mickle and her husband Roy of Medford, N.J., John Michael Forte Jr. and his wife Lucia of Virginia Beach, Jeanmarie (Forte) Rossman and her husband Edmond of Flemington, N.J. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Daniel John Forte, Anthony Michael Forte and Jenna Rose Forte; a brother, Robert Forte and his wife Sheena of South Carolina. Mr. Forte proudly served his country during World War II from 1943-1946. He was a seaman first class in the U.S. Navy stationed on a destroyer in the South Pacific and Hawaii. He was married to his now deceased wife Jeanne (Pepe) Forte in 1950. He worked for Otis Elevator and National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) during the 1950s. Later he worked for ITT in the 1960s and 1970s as a purchasing agent. During his time at ITT, he worked in the administrative offices of Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Neb., from 1962-1965. He later moved with his wife and three children to Pequannock, N.J., where they resided for 23 years. His professional life came to a close when he retired from Western Union in 1993 after 17 years as a senior contract administrator. Most of his retirement was spent in Toms River, N.J., until three years ago when he moved to Virginia Beach. Mr. Forte had many passions in his life including golf, music, painting, vintage movies and the New York Rangers, but his greatest passion of all was his family. A memorial service will take place at Church of the Holy Family on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Slattery presiding along with the Rev. Thomas Quinlan. Mr. Forte's wishes that his ashes be scattered at sea will take place in a private ceremony on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 5545, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.