John Joseph Forti Jr.

John and I shared DNA and a great interest in genealogy. John and I are second cousins and he was instrumental in helping me begin to investigate our common ancestors. John´s grandmother, Clara Beermann Stitz, and my grandfather, Herman L. Beermann, Sr. were brother and sister. John, I so enjoyed our ancestory conversations on the phone or at lunches. It always included family stories and laughter. Rest in peace with our mutual family members. You will be in my prayers.

I met John at an APA conference many years ago. He introduced himself and made sure I felt included with the significant others. He was dressed to the nines in a suit and tie. I always looked for him and his husband at other conferences. He was a barrel of laughs, we laughed so much. I had my first beefeater dirty gin martini at a local St Louis, MO restaurant with John and John. John Forti was drinking one and I had to have one too. And ever since then, a beefeater dirty gin martini...

John was such a a great friend to my husband, Joe Sander, and I, when we were all in our 20-30s. They met at St. Benedict's College and then as young couples we often played cards until the wee hours of the morning. Such good memories. John was such a good and sincere friend. Great memories.