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August Forte Obituary
AUGUST "GUS" FORTE
AGE: 88 TOMS RIVER
August "Gus" Forte, 88, of Toms River left us on Sunday, July 25, 2010 after a courageous battle with a long illness. Gus was a career fire fighter employed at the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst retiring as Fire Chief in 1980. He was an active member of Toms River Fire Co. # 2 for 54 years. He was also a charter member and chief instructor at the Toms River Training Facility on Church Rd. In October of 2002 he was honored by having the facility named in his honor now known as "The Chief August Forte Training Facility". He was a member of the International Society of Fire Instructors, and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs since 1967. He was also a Life Member and Trustee of the N.J. Exempt Fireman's Association, and a Life Member in the N.J. Fireman's Relief Association. His military service included 6 years in a PBY Squadron as a tail gunner, and 15 years in the N.J. National Guard 50th Armor Division in Toms River. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Mary (nee) Romano and Anthony Forte, he has lived in Toms River since 1950.
Surviving are his wife, Gloria of 63 years. He is the devoted father to Pamela Pelletier of Bayville, and Nancy Caldwell and her husband Alvin of Millville; and loving grandfather to Michael and Andrew Pelletier of Bayville, and Katherine Caldwell Carder and husband Brent of San Marcos, CA. He is also survived by a brother, Henry Forte and his wife Joan of Las Vegas, NV
A viewing will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 PM, on Wednesday, at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St. Toms River. Funeral Services on Thursday will be private for the family, followed by burial at the Brig. General Wm. C. Doyle Veteran's Mem. Cem., Arneytown, NJ. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Hospice of New Jersey, 40 Bey Lea Rd., Suite A202 Toms River, NJ 08753, or an animal shelter of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for August Forte
Daniel Polhemus
August 7, 2010
Pappy, thank you for everything you did for the fire service, your advice and mentoring has indeed saved countless lives including in my own. You truely were a role model and mentor to thousands of Firefighters who came thru the doors of the DTFA.
I can still remember the sweet smell of that pipe. Thanks for all your mentoring and your push for me to go into the Coast Guard, I am still a puddle pirate as you often called me. Your legacy will live forever. Rest easy Chief, Fair winds and following seas.
BM1 Daniel Polhemus, USCG.
TRFD CO #2 Res2cue
City of Charleston Fire Dept, SC.
ENG Co 15 Ladder 4
July 30, 2010
Gus, it was always a pleasure waiting on you when you came into 7-11 for your newspapers so long ago. Always asking how my Father was doing and adding in your jokes. You won't be too far from him at Arnytown cemetary.Yes, I can hear the two of you now. RIP to a wonderful person. Sue Barker-Turnage
July 30, 2010
Dear Gloria,Pam and Nancy,
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this time. We are sure he will be greatly missed.
Fred & Bernadette Guarino and Daughters
Toms River, NJ
SFC William Suskevich
July 30, 2010
Gus, thanks for being a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Your contributions to our Toms River unit are a part of the great history of C Battery, 3/112FA
Dan Caldwell
July 29, 2010
Gus, I always thought that picture of you was so cool, with the hat and the pipe. Although we only saw each other when I came there for Chrismas, I will always remember those times. You sitting in your chair with Hans and Fritz at your side and the fire glowing in the background asking Ma when dinner would be done, haha. And the firetruck collection you have always amazed me as a kid, thank you for those memories Gus. Dan Caldwell
Jim O'Hara
July 28, 2010
To the greatest instructor I have ever had, you were my greatest teacher, you taught me what the fire service was all about, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have put in the years of service that I did. You will be greatly missed more then anyone can say.
Wally Jamison
July 28, 2010
Chief,
It was truly an honor to have known you. Many fond memories of after the Firefighter Level I & 2 training sessions at the "Dover Township Fire Academy" (1983), with that pipe of yours dangling , we would listen to the war stories, and God knows you never told the same story twice. I would have to say many of Ocean Counties Firefighters have benefited from your knowledge of firefighting, and wisdom of dealing with the fire service, and keeping your sanity. Toms River has truly lost a great firefighter, and we here in Jackson have lost a good friend. God Bless you brother, and may you rest in peace.
Wally Jamison
Past Chief
Cassville Vol. Fire Co. #1
Fire Inspector-EMT
Jackson Twp Fire District #2
John Gallo
July 28, 2010
Gloria and family,
The Chief will always bring great memories to mind when I think of him. We hope that soon you will find the great memories to be a great comfort.
Rest In Peace, Chief
~ Sharon & John Gallo
(Station 17 Bayville)
July 28, 2010
We are sorry for the lose of a great man. You will be in our thoughts and prayers to the family and fire dept. New Florence Vol. Fire Dept. New Florence Pa Westmoreland County Sta. 46
Gus in the middle during firefighter 1 graduation in 2006
Robert Krohn
July 28, 2010
Gus,
Memories of you at the Firehouse will be with me for the rest of my life. some things that just pop into my head were helping you a few times with your cell phone voice mail, to when me and a few of the guys were playing a baseball video game and you started yelling about the damn "gizmochies" you were one of the few people that will always have respect from everyone even after you have past. you were a great person Gus and you will be missed greatly, and I'm sure that you still have forgotten more about firefighting then some can put on a piece of paper filling both sides as you always said.
Pappy may you rest in peace and keep everyone in line up there with the rest of the Chiefs.
Wayne Petersen
July 28, 2010
The Forte Family, Gloria, Pam & Nancy:
Your husband and father was the 'Toms River Icon'being remembered by the many people that he has inspired!
So many years and great memories of your father will always be close to my heart.
Heaven will be protected, the way that Gus protected and cared for others over the years.
As a child, I remember drinking soda's from 'dads' fireman bar and the barbeques that went on and on.
WE WILL ALL MISS GUS and are grateful that he has touched and made a difference in peoples lives! God Bless and our deepest sympathy to the Forte family.
lea obrien
July 27, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Gus was a great man and changed the life of many people. He will be greatly missed.
Jeanne Mahaffey
July 27, 2010
Dear Gloria,
Mom and I sent our sincere prayers for you and your family. We know that Gus is now at peace and enjoying his time in heaven with Dad (Dick), Earl MacKenzie, Elwood Ellis and many other firemen friends. I remember as a child all the fun all of you had at all of the TR firehouse functions.
Betty and Jeanne Mahaffey
Donna Dech-Jones
July 27, 2010
Mr. Gus, I have known you for most of my life and some of the funniest times were when you and my dad got together, boy were we ALL in trouble...lol
Now you and daddy can have your "Jack" on the rocks. You will be missed.
Joanne Lightbody/ Duffy
July 27, 2010
gus i remember many good times as a child with you and gloria . ty for always making us laugh . and you can now make my mom laugh again. you will be missed.
Barbara Maglione
July 27, 2010
Gus touched our lives, warmed our hearts and left his mark upon us at Toms River Fitness as well. Although he had been away for so long we still remember him with the up most love and respect. We were so fortunate to have known Gus. I hope his family can find comfort in knowing just how much he was loved by so many..
Ron Hill
July 27, 2010
Chief,
You will be greatly missed by all.I thank you for all the knowledge you shared with me and others. i will never forget your "seagull" comments(old people) they were always good for a hard laugh. Im sure the man above has a great spot for you in the pipe smoking section..you will never be forgotten chief..GODSPEED
Lt.Ron Hill
Lakewood Fire Dept.
East Dover Fire Dept.
July 27, 2010
"Pappy" you made firefighting fun. and you taught us well, you cared and looked after our safety at fire scenes. Always with the pipe in his hand he watched us all. The State of NJ and all fire and first aid will never forget you. RIP
Bill Pardy
TRFD#2
Life Member
Doug Clegg
July 27, 2010
My condolences to the family Gus will be missed and always remembered fondly by all.
Henry Applegate
July 27, 2010
Gloria and Family --- Gus was my friend, my boss, my mentor. Without him and his guidance, I would never have taken his place at Lakehurst... His humor will be remembered, especially his feelings toward "senior citizens"...
Chris O`Shaughnessy
July 27, 2010
Many people come and go in our lifetime that we are happy that they have touched our lives.........Gus you were one in a million and will never be forgotten..Your laughter your guidance and your sense of humor were remarkable and you always made everyones day.......The fire service lost a true hero this week and a perfect Gentlman Papi you will surely be missed. ( Chris O`Shaughnessy ) Toms River NJ
Steven Young
July 27, 2010
Gus will be missed most.....I met Gus thru my Dad many years ago.....He taught my Dad the world of Firefighting in the 1970's and beyond.
Steven Frank Young
TRFC 2
Honorary Life Member
Dawn Gabel
July 27, 2010
I will miss you POP, my life is enriched for the time I was able to spend with you. I am happy now that you will be resting in the house of the Lord.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mrs. Forte, please know that POP was well loved by all of us...Dawn Gabel
Paul Cannizzaro
July 27, 2010
Gus you were the life of the academy any course i went to you were always there with the humor and jokes made the times there good times your on liners will always be remembered you will be missed my friend....
Tom Parrish
July 27, 2010
Gus, The things you taught so many of us are what has kept us out of trouble and allowed us to serve the public. Enjoy your rest you earned it.
Tom Parrish,
Putnam Township MI FD
(First station was 28)
Raymond VanMarter
July 27, 2010
To the Forte Family
I am sorry for your loss. What can I say about a great man that you dont already know.
Gus was a Firefighter, a Chief, an Instructor. He held almost every rank in the fire service that one could think of and did wonderful things in all of them, but the titles that I think he earned and most proud of were those of Friend, Father and Husband. I was blessed to have known and learn from Gus. He was a brother, a friend and a mentor to me and he had a huge impact on my fire service career. He helped me become the firefigher and man that I am today.I am proud and humbled to have served with him. I want to thank you for allowing him to leave your family as often as he did to be part of our family at the firehouse. He will be greatly missed but will always be remembered by me. Please know that will continue to live on in stories and jokes for years to come.
Gus you taught us well and you are leaving the fire service a better place than you found it, I think that is one of the best things a firefighter can do. We will continue you work while you are gone, you can now rest well Chief you have earned it... We got it from here Pappy
Kathy Jacobus Camburn
July 27, 2010
Gloria, Nancy and Pam-
Gus was larger than life and my memories of him go back more than 50 years. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
July 27, 2010
Heaven's gonna get a new Fire Chief... You'll be missed...
Jim Story Retired Captain, L.N.A.S.
July 27, 2010
Gus was a true treasure and has been and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. Rest in peace Gus! Dawn Halliwell, Toms River Fire District #1 office
Jenn, Jo and Riley Haggins
July 27, 2010
Forte Family-
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Wish we could be there with you. Uncle Augie will be greatly missed!
Bill Degnan
July 27, 2010
Gus
You were an inspiration and will truly be missed.
July 26, 2010
Rest In Peace, Dear Gus. We all love you and you will be missed.
Linda, Bobby and Andrew Hoehn
TRFD Co. No. 2
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