Brian R. Forts

HOLDEN – Brian R. Forts, 65, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family and his dear friend, Nic Viapiano, by his side on Sunday, November 12, 2017 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Newark, New Jersey on April 10, 1952, Brian was the son of Bernard J. and Shirley A. (Gaulin) Forts and lived his formative years in Kearny, Fair Lawn and Watchung, New Jersey. He was a 1970 graduate of Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey.
Brian graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in 1974 with a BA in Political Science, and Syracuse University Law School in 1977 with a Doctor Jurisprudence Degree. While at Holy Cross, Brian played varsity lacrosse, served as chairman of the Political Science Advisory Committee, Resident Advisor in his dorm, and served on the Student Government Council. For the last 10 years he served as Chairman of his graduating class. A longtime season ticket holder for football and basketball, Brian was an avid Holy Cross fan that bled purple.
While at law school, Brian won the International Trial Lawyers Award, President of Phi Delta Phi Fraternity, Moot Court Board which he ran his senior year, moving back to Massachusetts in 1977 after passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam. Brian, with his law partner, Dave Bennett, formed the law firm of Bennett and Forts, where Brian practiced law until the day of his death.
In 1980, he met the love of his life, Worcester native Carla D. Roselund. They married on October 18, 1981 in the Jesuit Chapel at The College of the Holy Cross. The couple moved to Holden where they raised their three children.
Brian selflessly volunteered his time at Rainbow Child Development Center in Worcester where he served 19 years on its Board of Directors, the last 18 years as chairman. He was recognized for his dedication and contributions to the center and received the Child Advocacy Award. This annual award is now given by the center in Brian’s name.  He was also a Trustee and Director of the Seven Hills Foundation.  Rotary International was near and dear to Brian's heart.  He was a senior member of the Wachusett Area Rotary Club for 37 years and served in every leadership position available.  He was a resolute supporter of the mission of The Rotary Foundation in the fulfillment of the Object of Rotary to achieve world peace and understanding through local, national and international humanitarian, educational and cultural projects supported by The Rotary Foundation. While he will not be with us to celebrate Rotary's long-standing goal to eliminate polio in the world, Brian was recently recognized by the Wachusett Area Rotary Club with a Level 5 Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to The Rotary Foundation.  His life was a model of Service Above Self.Brian was also a longtime active member of the Holden Business Association, now the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board for numerous years and as President in 1993-1994.  He received the Chamber’s Business Leadership Award. Brian was a member of both the Worcester County Bar Association Committee, American Bar Association, Mass. Bar Association, Mass. Trial Lawyers' Association and Real Estate Bar Association.
In the 1980’s and 90’s, Brian enjoyed playing softball in local leagues including the Rutland Softball League. His greatest passion when it came to participating in sports was playing golf. He looked forward to the weekends and his early morning tee times at Wachusett Country Club and later at Holden Hills Country Club where he developed his many lasting friendships. Brian was affectionately coined "the Commissioner" of the Bennett and Forts Annual golf trips to Myrtle Beach and Florida which he organized and ran for more than 20 years.
He spent many summers and holidays vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH at his parents' lake house surrounded by adoring family and friends.
Brian was a man of great faith and conviction. Everyone valued his opinion and the decisions he made because you knew they were well thought out with an overwhelming concern for everyone involved. He was never shy in expressing his opinion. You always knew where you stood with Brian and were always given plenty of expressed options to change your mind and see things his way.
He will be affectionately remembered and missed by his beloved wife of 36 years, Carla D. (Roselund) Forts; two sons, Jared D. Forts and his wife, Leah of Grove City, Ohio and Michael R. Forts of Holden; a daughter, Meredith A. Rodrigues and her husband, Thomas of Newport, RI; his parents, Bernard and Shirley Forts of Meredith, NH; a sister, Sheryl MacMillan and her husband, James of Meredith, NH; a brother, Jeffrey B. Forts and his wife, Patricia of Shrewsbury; four granddaughters, Lucy, Audrey,  Nora and Lacey; several nephews, nieces and cousins; and his best friends, Nicola Viapiano and Harvey Gannon. Brian was predeceased by his beloved sister, Annie Forts of Meredith, NH and an infant granddaughter, Selena Rae Rodrigues.
Brian and Carla would like to share their heartfelt gratitude to the loving and caring staff at Beacon Hospice and UMass Memorial Medical Center under the guidance of Dr. William Corbett, Dr. Venu Bathini, Dr. Giles Whalen, Dr. Wahid Wassef and Dr. Cameron Stock.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather to honor Brian’s life from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 16, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden; Brian’s family will be present from 1:30 until 3:30 pm and again from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 17, at St. John’s Church, 44 Temple St., Worcester. Interment will follow at Grove Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Brian’s name to the Annie Forts Up Fund ( www.anniefortsupfund.org ), or the UMass Pancreatic Cancer Alliance ( www.pancreaticalliance.org ). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please "Sign the Guest book" on this page.




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