By MARCUS STEAD:
Tributes have been paid to Barry Island ice cream parlour owner Tony Forte following his death at the age of 93.
Born near Edinburgh to a father who moved to the area from Monforte d’Alba in north-western Italy, Mr Forte was due to fight in the latter stages of World War II, but he was released from frontline duties when he collapsed following his injections and was instead given office-based work.
During the early 1950s, the family moved to Barry to set up Forte’s ice cream parlour, which saw them follow in the footsteps of other relatives who had done the same thing in Weston-super-Mare and other seaside holiday resorts around that time.
Mr Forte’s father bought the Barry Island ice cream parlour from another family member, and in the decades that followed it was run by Mr Forte along with his brothers Dino, who died in 1997, and Andrew, who turns 97 later this year.
Forte’s was a familiar presence on Paget Road overlooking the beach during the resort’s golden era in the 1950s and 1960s, and in later years it moved to smaller premises on the same road in the building where Coastal Coffee now stands.
Following Mr Forte’s retirement, the ice cream parlour was run by his niece and nephew until it closed in 2003.
Mr Forte’s granddaughter Kate Lloyd-Wilce reflected on the huge impact Forte’s had in the area: “Coming to Forte’s was the ultimate treat. You hadn’t actually been to Barry Island unless you’d had an ice cream at Forte’s café.
“The original larger premises had a room around the back where the ice cream was made. It was wonderful.
“Everybody remembers the white coat uniform. Youngsters would work in Forte’s during the summer and Christmas holidays, and when they got a bit older, they’d go and work at Butlin’s. That was a path followed by a lot of young people in those days.
“Several generations can remember their parents buying them a knickerbocker glory or a banana split as a treat. They were really great days,” she said.
Mr Forte married his second wife Barbara in 1976, and they lived in Barry until his death on 23rd June.
While Mr Forte had no children of his own, he was close to Barbara’s offspring from her first marriage and by the end of his life he was considered a grandfather to seven children and a great-grandfather to nine.
Paying tribute to her grandfather, Kate said: “He was an absolute legend. He used to tell the same jokes over and over again, but he was funny and caring.
“Ice cream was a real passion for him throughout his life. When we were kids, if we’d gone somewhere for dinner, he’d find ways to distract us so he could steal our ice cream!
“He was a very kind man and liked to talk to people. He’d offer to make a frothy coffee for people who called at the house, such as the postman and people who were dropping things off.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has sent messages of condolence – we’ve received more than 100 messages through Facebook already. It has been a great comfort to our family.”
Mr Forte’s funeral will be held at Barry Crematorium on Tuesday, 26 July, at 11am. Around half an hour beforehand, the procession will begin at the family home and will drive down to Barry Island and past the shop where he spent so many years.
🌟 This article first appeared in the printed edition of the Glamorgan Star on 14.07.22. Read it in print first!
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