Bundi, a first-generation Mexican & Italian-American, was born on January 21, 1936, in El Paso, Texas, during the Great Depression and World War II, to Eugenio Levini Forti, of Calabria, Italy, and his mother Elisa (Diaz) Forti, of Durango, Mexico.
After Bundi attended Austin High School in his formative years, he immediately went to work with his father in the family-owned business El Paso Salvage Company. As a young man, was entrusted as a manager and was responsible for the consignment, antique and hardware sales and operations.
In his early twenties he was acquainted with a beautiful woman who was a caretaker and nanny to Forti family. In March of 1958, Bundi would marry his life-long bride Maria “Patsy” N. (Reyes) Forti, of Parral, Chihuahua Mexico, in El Paso, Texas. Together they were blessed with five children: Victor Manuel Forti Jr, Gino Bruno Forti (Elizabeth), Carmen Viviana Forti (Malcolm), Giancarlo Forti (Iris), and Monica Elisa Forti (Agustin).
Later in adulthood, Bundi became the owner of the El Paso Salvage Company for several decades, performed as a delivery operator for Forti’s Produce—delivering West Texas’ finest produce in Marfa and Presidio, Texas, and installed AT&T heritage phone booths throughout the city.
Bundi retired as the business owner of El Paso Salvage Company and enjoyed retelling his childhood memories with his children and grandchildren, including tales about his business trips to Marfa & Presidio.
Throughout the years, he was fond of spaghetti, western movies, and rustic western décor. Bundi built and designed, with his own hands, many extensions to the Forti Ranch on 640 Mauer Road. He was a handsome hard-working man known for being authentic and wholeheartedly there for those in his life.
He admired World War II American/German military literature and antique memorabilia and was an avid collector of vintage western guns and rifles and books. He was an amazing singer who reverberated the walls of his home with Italian and Mexican musicians like Al di la’, by Jerry Vale, as well as numerous songs from Dean Martin, El Piporro, and his favorites El Triste and Espera un Poco Un Poquito Mas -La Nave Del Olvido by José José.
One of his final wishes was for his family to continue his legacy of improving the home using ranch-style floor plans and designs. His final days were spent surrounded by immediate family loving on him and in thanksgiving. He was thankful to his devoted wife of 64 years and was appreciative of her ceaseless prayers, devotion to and teaching of Jesus Christ, and especially her delicious spaghetti she cooked often for him. To his surviving family “Cuidate Mucho,” stay proud of your Italian & Mexican heritage, and continue a strong work ethic to make our family proud.
Bundi was preceded in death by his father Eugenio L. Forti, his mother Elisa Forti, his brothers Lionel Forti, Felipe Forti, and Miguel Forti, his sisters Virginia Varela and Beatrice Jordan. He is survived by his lovely wife of 64 years, Maria "Patsy" N (Reyes) Forti, his five children, 16 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Bundi also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, extended family and close friends.
Services will be held for Victor Forti Sr on Monday, October 24, 2022, from 5-9 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 North Carolina Drive, El Paso, TX 79915. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfuneralhomeeast.com for the Forti family.
