Gary Francis Forte

Gary Francis Forte, 69, of Easley, S.C., died on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Gary was born in Jefferson City, Mo., on September 2, 1945, and was the son of the late Mary Catherine (Wallau) Fort and the late Forest Bernard Fort. Mr. Forte graduated from Jefferson City Senior High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated from Weaver College and attended Executive Education courses at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh graduate school. Mr. Forte was most recently a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services Inc. where he had held the Certified Investment Management Analyst and Certified Investment Management Consultant designations. Gary served as an industry representative arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers, which is now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. As a 38 year resident of Greenville, S.C., Gary was active in the community having served as Secretary Treasurer of the South Carolina Board of Accountancy. He was originally appointed by Governor Mark Sanford and subsequently reappointed by Governor Nikki Haley. Gary also served as the Treasurer of the South Carolina Governors School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation Board and has served as chairman of the Finance Committee. In addition he served on the Board of Crime Stoppers of Greenville County. Gary was a Member of Christ Church Episcopal, a current member of The Poinsett Club and a past member of The Chaine des Rotisseurs, the Greenville Country Club and Thornblade Country Club. He attained the 32 degree of The Scottish Rite and was a Past member of Hejaz Shrine. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Shawna Dionne Forte, Marina del Rey, Calif., and beloved son, Gary "Chip" Francis Forte II, Greenville, S.C. Gary wished to give special thanks to two special people "without whom I would not have made it through the last 18 months. Mike Lee - my conciliar and business partner. He has inspired me in many ways that even he is not aware. Marjorie Luke - caregiver, friend, supporter, the love of my life and bird- watching buddy. Words simply cannot explain how important she was to me." Many special thanks are also extended to the kind nurses and staff at Open Arms Hospice, Clemson Downs and Interim HealthCare Hospice. A service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. at Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, SC 29607, (864)232-6706. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Open Arms Hospice is also appreciated. http://www.openarmshospice.org Condolences may be expressed online at www.mackeymortuary.com