Obituary of Antonio Forte

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, brother, nonno and zio, Antonio Forte, peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2019, in his 76th year. Antonio suffered from dementia for a number of years, eventually robbing him of his memory and his quality of life. As a child, Antonio lived through the hardships of a World War Two ravaged Italy. He knew what it was to go hungry, and to struggle to survive. After proposing to his love, Lucia, and being denied opportunities in Italy, Antonio made the courageous and life-altering decision to come to Canada. His loving sister, Ines, already in Canada, sponsored him; he arrived in his adoptive country in October of 1966…and he never looked back. In 1967, he sponsored his fiancée, Lucia, and they married in Toronto. Antonio was a hard-working man, who never complained, but always did what he had to do for his family. Over the years, Antonio worked many jobs to provide for his family, and he retired from Canadian Metal Rolling Mill after 28 years. He was so proud of his work there, often recalling memories of past work, when other memories faded. Antonio loved nature and animals, and was an avid fisherman. Some of his best memories were on his aluminum boat, in the middle of a northern lake, listening to the loons, and spending hours trying to outsmart the fish. Antonio was a quiet, soulful man, with a unique wit. One of his famous one-liners included, “It’s not what you want, it’s what you can get.”

Antonio will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 51 years, Lucia. The loving father of Angelica (Joel), Sandro (Marisa), Salvatore (Christy), Maria (Tim). The proud nonno of Jessica, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Jessie, Nicholas, Massimo, Stefano, Oliver. Dear brother of Adelia, Ines (predeceased), Matteo, Maria. Dear Zio of Alexandra, Remo, Renaldo, Matthew, Victoria.

Many thanks to the Lighthouse Church of God family in Chippawa, for their love and support of Antonio and Lucia for the past 15 years. You are a true reflection of what it means to be a Christian. Many thanks to the staff in Unit C at GNG Hospital, for their compassionate and gentle care of Antonio in his final days. You respected his dignity; you are all a credit to your profession.

Cremation has taken place. A private memorial and interment will be held at a later date.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)