Dr. Robert Paul Forte

Robert Paul Forte was born in Revere, Massachusetts on February 14, 1932, to Achille Forte and Julia Frangipane Forte. The oldest of three boys, Bobby started working at the local drugstore when he was 11, played the trumpet, excelled at shortstop, and was a top student at Revere High School. He graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy before becoming one of 36 dental graduates in the inaugural class of the Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry in 1960 (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine). In 1962, the now Dr. Forte began what would be a thriving 55 year dental practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Well-respected by his colleagues, he was a member of the New York Academy of Dentistry, the Fellowship of the International College of Dentists, and served as President of the Bergen County Dental Association and as Editor of the Journal of the New Jersey Dental Association. In the office by 7:00 am, he treated generations of families and loved his patients: they were often a captive audience for his stories about golf, skiing, his travels to Italy, and later, his Vermont garden, or the recent adventures of his beloved grandchildren.

Early in his dental career, Dr. Forte began investing in real estate. He was self-taught, self-directed, and focused — abilities that he used in every aspect of his life — and over the years, his sideline turned into a substantial portfolio of almost a dozen residential, commercial, and professional buildings in Northern New Jersey and Atlanta.

A competitive golfer who won many tournaments, Bob was a devoted student of the game. He was a member of the Hackensack Golf Club for over 40 years. Always an active participant, he ran many tournaments, was Chairman of the Golf Committee, Co-chairman of the Rules and Ethics Committee, and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a past president and a member emeritus of the New Jersey Seniors Golf Association, as well as a member of the Course Rating Committee of the Metropolitan Golf Association. In 2019, the Hackensack Golf Club renamed a Senior Member-Guest tournament in his honor. He loved to play courses all over the country, and his grandchildren often joked that no matter where you drove with Grampy, he could find a golf course he played and an Italian restaurant within five miles. Bob relished his annual summer golf outings in Vermont with his close friends, and his many trips to Ireland and Scotland.

Like golf, Bob took up skiing in his mid thirties. He and his family skied all over New England until choosing Wilmington, Vermont as the place for a second home. They spent many winter weekends at the “A” frame, skiing with other families and friends at Mt. Snow and Haystack, and he

took annual trips out West and to Europe. In 1985, Bob, now a young grandfather, built a house on Top of Hill Road in Wilmington and began to spend weekends there year round.

In his early 60’s, he decided to start a “little” garden on the side of the hill where a swing set used to be. What began as a small collection of flowering plants, and a modest goal to be included on the Wilmington Garden Tour, became what has now been called the fourth largest perennial garden in Vermont and a permanent spot on the Wilmington Garden Tour. Completely self designed, he was honored when his garden was included in the prestigious national Garden Conservancy Open Days event in 2012. He described it in the tour catalog as “The North Forte is

filled with classic perennials and shrubs, native Vermont bluestone

walls, and striking architectural elements. Stroll the paths along the two

waterfalls and koi ponds and continue over the garden bridge while

viewing the Knot Garden. Continue through the garden gate to the roses

and hydrangeas to the pergola and the Sculpture Garden”. His newest

addition was the design and installation of a garden railroad, complete

with lights and intricate replicas of local Wilmington landmarks along

the tracks. Bob opened his home and garden annually to host fundraisers

for local charities, including this past July, which raised funds for CoVid

relief in the Wilmington community.

Proud of his Italian heritage, he traveled to Italy more than 20 times, once on his own with four of his grandchildren, and the last time in 2013 with his four adult children. He was close to his children, a generous and attentive father, and he loved his daughter-in-law Kathy as if she were one of his own. Bob and his younger brother Bill were devoted to each other. Born just a year apart, they were loyal and loving brothers, inseparable for more than 87 years.

There was nothing that gave Bob more joy than his favorite role as Grampy, The Gramps, or The Old Gramps. He was thrilled to become a great-grandfather and joked that he had thought nothing could be better than grandchildren until he had great-grandchildren. Grampy called each of his 9 grandchildren often, never missed a birthday or a chance to support them in their myriad pursuits. He was their biggest fan and they knew he loved them unconditionally.

Generous in thought and deed, Bob was truly a self made man. He leaves a legacy of a life well-lived and a profound love for his family and friends.

Robert Forte was preceded in death in January by his wife, Mary; his parents; his brother, Richard; and his Aunt Mary Lanzo. He is survived by: his daughter Jeanne Marie; his sons Robert Paul, John Michael and wife Kathy, and David Christopher; his brother Bill and wife Peg; his grandchildren Diana, Caitlin, Charlie, Vanessa, Mircea, Jake, Ben, Sophie, and Will; his great-grandchildren Teddie, Ramona, George, and Margaux; his step-daughters Kara Sweet Klose and husband Jim, Kim Sweet Bonney and husband Scott, and Allison Sweet Posternock and husband Dan; his step-grandchildren Cory, Ian, Sawyer, Josh, and Mia. He is also survived by his business partner and first wife Diana Rossetti, nieces Mary and Julie, nephews Billy and Edward, several cousins and many friends.

A Virtual Service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 11:00 am (EST). To attend, please register for the service by Friday, November 20 by logging on to: https://tinyurl.com/ForteMemorial.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Rotary Club of the Deerfield Valley, Post Office Box 542, West Dover, Vermont 05356.