Pasquale “Patrick” Forte

Pasquale “Pat” Forte, age 78, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021.

Born and raised in Jersey City, the youngest of Pasquale and Antoinette (Palermo) Forte’s three sons, Pat was a graduate of Snyder High School with the Class of 1960. His next pursuit was St. Peters College (now University) in Jersey City where he swam on the water polo team, joined the ROTC, was a member of the Cross Keys Honor Society and President of Student Government and, most importantly, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history in 1964. Wasting no time, Pat attended New York University and earned his Master of Science degree in history in 1965.

While at St. Peter’s College, Pat met the girl he would someday marry. Her name was Joanne Iuliano and she was a student at Jersey City State College, just down the street. Joanne was in a sorority that was planning a dance and wanted to pass out flyers at the all-male St. Peter’s College to invite them to come to the dance. It just so happened that Pat had a cousin who knew Joanne and, since Pat was president of Student Government, his cousin put Joanne in touch with Pat. Joanne must have made a positive impression on Pat because, sometime after the dance, Pat returned to her college in hopes of locating her. They finally reconnected and went out on their first date. They fell in love and eventually, with the anticipation of Pat’s proposal, Joanne was always wondering when Pat would ask. Now Pat had a real love for Cracker Jacks so no one could blame Joanne for one-day ripping open a box of Pat’s precious Cracker Jacks in pursuit of a ring. No ring! The actual proposal of marriage came on an Easter weekend while the two of them were driving down the shore. Pat presented Joanne with a chocolate Easter bunny with the engagement ring tied on a string around the bunny’s neck. Marriage took place on Saturday, September 30, 1967 at St. Nicholas R.C. Church in Palisades Park followed by a wedding reception at the Montammy Country Club in Alpine.

After returning from their honeymoon in Mexico, Pat reported for duty in the United States Army. From 1967 through 1970 his assignments included Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA and Fort Monmouth in NJ before going to the Patch Barracks for assignment with the European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Pat attained rank of Captain in the United States Army Signal Corps and was Company Commander of the HQ Company. One of the nicest parts of his service was having his beloved wife Joanne accompany him in Germany.  While serving his country, Pat and Joanne got to travel to many places throughout Europe.

Upon their return to civilian life in the U.S.A. Pat and Joanne soon moved to their new home which was being built on Avon Way in the Parlin section of Sayreville, NJ. Pat embarked upon a most rewarding career as Registrar and Adjunct Instructor at Saint Peter’s College and Registrar at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (now Rutgers University Medical School). Until retiring in 2006, over the span of his thirty-six-year career, he served on numerous committees and tasks forces and received many awards and citations. Most importantly, Pat truly enjoyed sharing his love of history with his students. His animated teaching style inspired such sincere interest in his classes that there was always a waiting list to get in.

Pat and Joanne lovingly raised their three daughters, Patricia, Andrea and Lisa, in their home in Sayreville. He loved to learn and share his new-found knowledge with his daughters. When the girls were very young, his wife Joanne recalls how Pat would tell bedtime stories, excitedly spinning adventurous tales of Greek mythology or historical events. With wisdom and guidance, he took a keen interest in each of his daughter’s development. He was always so proud of all that they did.

Pat loved a good restaurant just as much as he loved his wife’s pasta and meatballs. He was also a big fan of Broadway with Man of La Mancha and Les Misérables being his all-time favorites, and he loved the music of Luciano Pavarotti. A faithful Mets fan, he always got a scorebook when he went to a game and he wrote down every play. Pat was well known for his love of Yoo-hoo and chocolate cake.  Pat enjoyed conversing about history and world events. He loved those subjects the most and was known also for being a great New York City tour guide when friends or family came to visit.

Above all else, Pat treasured his family the most. Just ask his daughters how much he adored his grandchildren! When they saw Grandpa, they always greeted him with warm hugs and snuggles. He always kept mints or pretzels in his front shirt pocket for them.  They loved Grandpa and Grandma rooting for them at all their sporting events and the whole family enjoyed the time-honored tradition of trips down the shore.

In 2019, after 48 memorable years in their house in Sayreville, Pat and Joanne decided to move to Wayne, just down the street from their daughters, Andrea and Patty, so that they could be closer to each other. He loved to swing by his kids’ houses to visit.   Every day, Pat would get out of the house for a couple of hours to run some errands. These errands usually involved a quick trip to the grocery store and they always involved socializing. Joanne and the girls would always say “He’s out gallivanting again!”

Pat was a man of infinitely great qualities. He exuded a warmth and friendliness that quickly won the hearts and affections of family, friends and acquaintances. He had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. He was a planner and a thinker.  There was no task that could not be accomplished without a list. He was a man of integrity, strength, wisdom, and diplomacy.  He was easy to love and was loved by his entire family, including his mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Patrick was the beloved husband of 54 years to Joanne (Iuliano) Forte; loving father of the late Patricia Gamez (2019) and husband Byron of Wayne, Andrea Facciolo and husband Rocco of Wayne, and Lisa Voight and husband Chris of North Arlington; cherished grandfather of: Sophia, Rocco, Gianna, and Anthony; beloved brother-in-law, and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by his parents and two older brothers, Dominic and Julius Forte.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Patrick’s name are asked to consider a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation which honors and serves America’s veterans and their families (www.garysinisefoundation.org) or the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.