Thomas Fornera

Thomas Fornera, 77, of Wilmington, North Carolina, formerly of Newburgh, New York, passed away on June 22, 2024, with his family at his side. Born March 29, 1947, Tom was the son of the late Alfonso Fornera and Eleanor Bowman Fornera. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Robin; his brother, Joseph (Laurie); his sister Catherine Terracina (Richard); and his children, Kimberly Fornera, Thomas Fornera (Stephanie), and Jennifer Fornera. Tom is also survived by his granddaughter Shannyn Loeper as well as many nieces and nephews.

Tom grew up in Washingtonville, New York and married the love of his life, Robin in August 1970. The couple then moved to Newburgh where they raised their family and where he was involved in the local community. After spending his career working for MetLife, Tom and Robin retired and moved to North Carolina.

As a young man, Tom loved sports, and he grew up playing soccer, basketball, and baseball at Washingtonville High School and later at Rockland Community College. As an adult, Tom could be found coaching basketball at St Francis School and later in the Catholic Youth Organization program of Orange County, New York. He also enjoyed coaching baseball for the New Windsor Little League. Tom’s passion was giving back to the organizations by serving not only as a coach, and mentoring countless young children and young adults but also serving on the boards to help raise money to keep giving the best to the kids whose passion for sports followed his. Coaching in different organizations throughout his life was Tom’s greatest accomplishment.

In addition to playing and coaching, Tom also loved to watch his beloved New York teams, the Yankees and the Giants, as well as college football and basketball games. Tom loved cheering on Notre Dame Football and Duke Basketball, but he didn’t discriminate, he could be found watching all the college games. Tom would talk with everyone about how great those teams or games were just as much as he loved to complain about them not winning.

The family will be honoring Tom’s request for cremation without a wake or funeral service and will hold a private family celebration of life in the future. Should you wish to honor Tom’s memory, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St Francis Church in Newburgh, New York or to your local humane society or animal shelter in his name.