Louis "Gigi" Forte

July 27, 1925 - March 22, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, brother, grandfather and uncle, Louis (Gigi) Forte on March 22, 2018. Gigi was born on July 27, 1925 in Trail, B.C.

Gigi married Lodi Bressanutti in 1954 and they lived and worked in Trail for their entire married life of 62 years. They raised two sons, Peter and Raymond.

Gigi was a self-made man, having left school at a very early age. He started his working career in the smelter after serving in the army during World War 2. After marriage he and Lodi ran the B&N grocery on Nelson Avenue until he joined the City of Trail as the Stores supervisor. Over the next 30 years, he held a number of positions with the city until retiring at the age of 60. With Lodi, he enjoyed a long, happy, and healthy retirement.

They travelled the world, going on cruises, travelling to Central and South America, and to Europe. They especially enjoyed winters in Palm Springs with their friends in the Trail travelling cocktail party. They particularly loved hosting their family and friends at their home in Tadanac and Gig liked nothing better than pouring a glass of homemade wine before presiding over a tableful of family and friends with him at one end and Lodi beside him.

Gigi served in the Canadian Army in WW2 from 1944 until 1946 and was very proud of his service. He marched in the Trail Remembrance Day ceremonies into his eighties. He was especially proud of having had the opportunity to march in a Remembrance Day parade in Ottawa with his son Raymond, also a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Gigi was an avid sportsman. He was an accomplished basketball player, loved soccer, golf and skiing. He was one of the original members of the Red Mountain Ski Club and was a long-time member of the Rossland Trail Country Club. He was satisfied, only so far as golfers can be, to get his handicap down to a 12 and pleased to have won Low Net one year in the Rossland-Trail Open. He golfed into his 80's before finally hanging up the clubs. A strong memory for his son Peter was being on the golf course with his Dad the day men landed on the moon.

Gigi was immensely proud of his hometown and was a tireless contributor and Trail booster. Gigi put in many, many volunteer hours in community service. He served as President of the Colombo Lodge and was a member for over 70 years, President of the Kinsmen Club, Deputy Governor of the Kinsmen Club of the Kootenays, served as Trail Alderman for three years, was Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Columbia View Lodge and was also chairman of the Columbia View Lodge Board for 16 years. He served on various committees for the BC Health Association and received the Certificate of Service and the Meritorious Service awards. His last active participation in promoting his home city was his involvement in the Rock Wall Project.

Gigi is survived by his son Peter, his wife Lori, and their children John and Eleanor; his son Raymond, his wife Cyndy and their children Luke and Jake, his sister Nice Dunford, sister-in-law Helen Forte, brother-in-law Terry Bressanutti and his wife Lorraine, nephews, nieces, godchildren and numerous cousins all over the world.

He was predeceased by his wife Lodi who left us last December, parents Pietro and Santa Forte, his in-laws, Vittorio and Leonora Bressanutti, his brother, Nini Forte and brother-in law, Fred Dunford.

Gigi's primary volunteer commitment over his later years was to Columbia View Lodge We know that both he and Lodi would want to ensure the continuing success of that facility, so the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation (Columbia View Lodge) at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring nurses and staff at Poplar Ridge, the staff at Interior Health Community Nursing Services, and the folks at Serendipity Home Care, especially Don.

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life for both Gigi and Lodi will take place on August 24, 2018 at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish with Father Francis dela Cruz, Celebrant. A reception will be held at the Colombo Lodge following the Mass.. As they were for so long together in life, they will leave us together.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
 Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services