Elio Forte
1920 – 2015
It is with immense sadness that we hear of the news of Elio Forte’s death in Sora Hospital this morning. Elio was the husband of the late Chiara Raimondi, and son of the late Giovanni and Maria Teresa Forte.
Born in Mortale, he served in the Italian army in the 1940s and met his wife of 71 years whilst stationed in Bari during the war. They moved to the New Ross area in Southern Ireland many years ago and it is there that their family are now based. It has been my absolute privilege to meet Elio in Mortale on several occasions in the last few years, and to listen to his captivating stories and fond memories of village life in the past. He was the loveliest of gentlemen, a genuine and loving family man with a cheeky twinkle in his eye, and we were all so saddened to see him take ill on the morning of the Festa di S. Antonio last week.
My condolences go to his wonderful family, including all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, but in particular to his sister, Olga, and children, Teresa, Tella, Bice, Giovanni, Gilda and Tony. We remember also Elio’s late daughter Francesca, and his late wife, Chiara, who only passed away in February 2014.
Rest in peace, dear Elio.