Loretta BonTempo Forte

Formerly of Gilbert St., West Haven, CT died Sunday, Oct. 30th. in Scituate, MA. The past 13 years she was a resident of Mass. She was married for 52 years to the former West Haven City Clerk, Albert E. Forte. Mrs. Forte was born in West Haven on Oct. 18, 1913, daughter of Nicholas and Josephine Landino BonTempo. She is survived by a daughter, Valerie F. Vitali and her husband, Phillip of Scituate, MA; two granddaughters, Lauren Forte Vitali and Ava Forte Vitali of Scituate and a great granddaughter, Chloe Jayne Vitali. She was predeceased by seven sisters and brothers, Louise, Mary, Alexander, James, John, Ralph and Peter BonTempo. She graduated from West Haven High School, Class of 1931 and later attended Southern Conn. State University. Loretta worked as a librarian for the West Haven Public Library for 38 years, serving 30 years as the Allingtown Librarian welcoming, mentoring and encouraging many young people to use the library for research and recreational reading. She was active in community service, history and in the causes and candidates of the Democratic Party. Loretta was a member and past president of the State of Conn. Amvets Auxiliary, communicant of St. Paul's Church, West Haven for 60 years, a CCD instructor and member of the Catholic Women. After moving to Mass., she was a volunteer at numerous senior citizen activities and was awarded the Resident Spirit Award by the Mass. Assisted Living Facilities Assoc. in 1996. Funeral from the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St., West Haven, CT on Wednesday morning at 11:30. Mass of Christian burial at St. Paul's Church, West Haven at 12 o'clock. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven which now encompasses the property on Derby Ave., West Haven where she was born. Memorials in her name may be made to the Allingtown Library Branch, c/o West Haven Public Library, 300 Elm St., West Haven, CT 06516.