Dr. Gabriel "Gabe" Fornari Sr.

1945 - 2024

Dr. Gabriel "Gabe" Fornari, Sr.

September 7, 1945 - January 10, 2024

Hilton Head, South Carolina - Dr. Gabriel "Gabe" Fornari Sr, 78, of Hilton Head South Carolina, died January 10, 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer three years ago. He died peacefully at his home in Moss Creek Hilton Head SC with his wife Diane and son Gabriel at his side.

Born September 7, 1945 in Steubenville, OH, to Mary and Charles Fornari, Gabe was raised in Weirton, WV where he went to Madonna High School and met his future wife, Diane Greco, the love of his life and best friend. Their 55 years of marriage was blessed with much happiness.

After earning a BS from West Virginia University, Gabe taught biology at Weirton High School and Linsly Military Academy before he returned to the WVU to earn his MS and MD degrees. After completing his Family Practice Residency at Marshall University, he joined the Huntington Emergency Physicians Group at St. Mary's Hospital where he continued to provide healthcare for 25 years as a Board-Certified Family Practice and Emergency Medicine physician until his retirement in 2004 when he moved to Hilton Head Island, SC to work with his son Dr. Gabriel Fornari Jr and then with the McLeod Hospital Outpatient in Florence, SC.

Gabe was preceded in death by his parents, sister Donna McConnell, nephew Eric McConnell ,brother-in-law Jim Runkel , and cousin David Rigot whom Gabe considered as a brother. He is survived by his wife Diane, sons Dr. Gabriel Fornari Jr, Dr. Luke Fornari and wife Alison, sisters Marcia Runkel, JoEllen Rappold and husband Walter, also, his dearly loved grandchildren Pierce, Ethan, Stella, Silvio, Diego and Enzo and 18 nieces and nephews and their 27 children. Although Gabe had no brothers, he found brotherhood in his best friend from First Grade Greg Plesich and Diane's three brothers Korky, Sam, and Rick. He considered his sisters-in-law, Donne Paine and Debbie Catton, as his own sisters. He also maintained an entourage of grade school and high school friends that continued to meet, travel, and support each other all through his life.

In 1991 , Gabe and Diane bought a small beach house on Hilton Head Island where they spent 25 years of happiness hosting their large families and countless friends into their home and on to the beach. It was a special chapter in their lives filled with beautiful memories.

Gabe enjoyed painting, being a handyman, and growing vegetables. Some of his paintings adorn the family home. There was not a household task that he felt he could not handle, including building a family room. And, wherever Diane and he lived, he planted a vegetable garden, dominated by tomatoes that he loved to share with friends.

But he was best known for his sense of humor and delicious cooking, especially Italian dishes (His secret: "cooking with love.") Gabe loved shopping for food, his happy place was Costco. He was also known for his passion for golf.

He began golfing at age 12 when he started caddying and continued for more than 60 years with winning numerous tournaments and making many good friends along the way. He was most proud of making EIGHT "hole in one's "!! It would put a smile on his face knowing that in memory of him, you enjoyed a round of golf with your friends.

For the excellent care and consideration given to Gabe, the family extends gratitude to Dr. Gary Thomas, Lynn Ferrelli, the staff at St. Joseph Candler Cancer Center in Buckwalter, and to the Hospice Care of the Low Country, especially Nurse Cassie Beard.

In memory of Gabe, a gathering of family and friends will be held Sunday, March 17 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St. Weirton, WV 26062. In lieu of flowers, thank you for donating to a charity of your choice.

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