Kenneth Joseph Forti
January 22, 1944 – May 31, 2025
Kensington, Maryland
A Tribute to Kenneth J. Forti
Remembering a Life Rich in Adventure, Laughter, and Love
If ever there was a man who lived life with a twinkle in his eye and an open invitation to join in his next adventure, it was Kenneth Joseph Forti. Whether on the greens with his many golf buddies, on the football field with his Gamecock teammates, on the Gadget fishing with Del, in a duck blind with Jay, or sharing fire call stories with Kemah, Andy & Juan, Ken Forti was game!
Ken was born on a crisp January, 1944 morning in Washington, DC to Lucia Marie and Joseph Stephen Forti. He arrived ready for whatever came his way, and most certainly, to leave his mark. His early years saw a move from the bustle of the city to the gentle hills of Kensington, Maryland, where he was quick to become a local legend. A proud member of Holy Redeemer Elementary’s first graduating class, Ken approached school with the same gusto he would later apply to everything: full throttle, with sleeves rolled up, and a contagious grin.
High school at The Bullis School further showcased Ken’s many talents. Golf team? Check. Rifle team? Football team? Library club? Absolutely! Ken believed in a well-rounded education, especially if it meant spending time in the fairway or on the gridiron. His “extracurriculars” didn’t end there. At 16, Ken helped organize the Young Democratic Teen Club of Garrett Park (in support of JFK, believe it or not!). However, as photographic evidence suggests, Ken’s political fervor may have been driven by his campaign for a prom date—a campaign nobody minded him winning!
After Bullis, Ken took his talents to the University of South Carolina, where he was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. He also pledged lifelong loyalty to Pi Kappa Phi, a brotherhood he was proud to serve well into his 70’s. His support of the fraternity’s DC Metro area chapters proved that a true bond (and the occasional prank) knows no age limit!
In college, Ken met the future-mother of his most prized possession, his daughter Robin Marie. Marrying into the Reaves family introduced him to four brothers who reveled in teaching the “city kid” a thing or two about tobacco farming. Soon after college, Ken and his young family found themselves in Atlanta, where he helped run Electronic Wholesalers’ operations. But Grandpa Joe’s pull (and wisdom) brought them back home to Maryland when Robin was just six months old. By his father’s side, Ken’s gifts as a salesman and a people-person flourished in the formation of Forti Associates, an innovative audiovisual and security solutions company.
Ken’s passions were as deep as the Chesapeake Bay. A lover of the outdoors, he was happiest upland bird hunting with a four-legged companion by his side, most notably his yellow lab, Marshall. Warm weekends saw Ken and the Forti family creating memories in Ocean City, Maryland—trolling the offshore canyons for marlin aboard the Robin’s Nest, and enjoying blue crabs and good stories on their back deck afterwards.
The golf bug bit Ken early and he never got over it. From his first high school tournament victory, he chased that little white ball across America’s finest courses with a zeal matched only by his love of a good laugh at the 19th hole.
Service ran through Ken’s veins. In 1963, he joined the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, rising to EMS Lieutenant, and even taking on the essential role of Santa at the annual Christmas parade. Later, at the Bethesda Fire Department, Ken donned the hat of Chaplain—an ironic twist for those who remember his mischievous side, but one he wore with honor and genuine care.
Family was always at the center of Ken’s universe. After finding love again with Jacqueline “Jackie” Roberts, he embraced her family as his own—delighting in Sunday dinners, baseball games on the porch, and the chaos and joy of a house full of grandchildren: Taylor, Beau, Haddon, Parker, and Levi. His pride shone for Jackie’s sons Mackie and Justin Barch, their wives Kim and Kelly, his niece Jennifer Roberts (another force to be reckoned with!), and nephew Myles Roberts, with whom Ken shared countless porch-side Nationals games.
Ken’s heart was always fullest when Robin and her husband Todd Anderson would return for a visit from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, completing the circle of family and filling the house with laughter and love.
Today, we remember Ken not only for his achievements and adventures, but for the way he lived—generous, spirited, and always ready with a story (or an unfiltered opinion!) His legacy is written in the memories of those who loved him, the friendships he cultivated, and the family he cherished above all.
So here’s to Ken Forti—a man who never missed a tee time, a family dinner, or the chance to make someone smile. May his stories live on, may the fish always bite, and may there always be just one more Sunday dinner at the Forti house.
Make a Donation
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Ken, the family has designated the following charities that not only aligned with Ken’s boundless volunteerism, but which also benefit the people and resources that meant the most to him.
