Rev. Joseph S. Forte, 77, the longtime pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Great Barrington and spiritual leader, passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 23, 2015 at his home on Wyantenuck Street in Housatonic.
Born on February 9, 1938 in Efaula, Alabama, he was the oldest of six children born to Woodrow Forte and Dorothy Franklin Forte.
Rev. Forte moved to the Berkshires full time in 1979 after commuting from Albany, New York, for one year. He worked as a counselor and supervisor at the Kolbourne School in New Marlborough as well as at Construct, Inc. in Great Barrington.
He was an avid reader studying God’s word. He enjoyed fishing, wrestling and boxing. However, above all else he cherished time spent with his family and would never pass up an opportunity to make people laugh with his jokes.
Rev. Forte was a member of the conference of Baptist Ministers of Massachusetts and the NAACP.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Vera (Alston) Forte. The couple was married on December 3, 1962 in Hartford, Connecticut. He leaves six children: Vanessa LeGrande, Cynthia Alston-Harris, Jacquline Banks and husband Minister Paul Banks Sr., Joseph Forte Jr. and wife Mildred, Rev. JoAllen Forte, and Minister Prudence Forte and husband Ricardo Bray; 17 grandchildren: J. Antoine Alston and wife Heather Alston, Darnell Alston, Tasha Harris, Torrien Harris, Dametrias Banks, Paul Banks, Jr., Jenna Banks, Dionte Banks, Jahmar Banks, Dominique Banks, LaShawn Johnson ,Shaquita Kinca and husband Tony, Michael Forte, DeVon Forte, Elijah Forte, Jazijah Forte, Shavez Forte and 19 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his siblings Bernadette Young and husband Edward, Lori Forte, Tony Forte and Phillip Forte as well as his spiritual sister Sheila Harrington and beloved God-Children Lois Evan and Rev. Sandra Forbes and husband Rev. Roland Forbes.
He was predeceased by both parents, his daughter Roberta Forte, his brother Larry Forte, and his God-Mother Aunt Sally Cobb.
A Home Going Celebration for Rev. Joseph S. Forte will be held on Thursday, April 30th at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main St., Great Barrington, MA. There will be a final viewing from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 29th from 4-7 p.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Macedonia Baptist Church through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To sign the guest book or send remembrances go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
