Charles Albert Fornara

Charles Albert Fornara, 89, was born in Cottonwood, AZ on August 13, 1925 to Battista and Flora Fornara. He grew up in the Verde Valley and moved to Prescott in 1940. As a teen he worked for his family’s Hassayampa Dairy. Charlie graduated from PHS in 1943. Soon after he enlisted in the US Navy, spending two years serving on several ships sailing around the world. After his discharge, he earned a degree in Marketing from Arizona State University and returned to Prescott to join the family business, Hassayampa Market. During this time, he also became a partner in the JCJ Ranch with family members Louis Fornara, Joe Savoini, and John Olsen. In 1952, Charlie married Joan Gegg of Prescott and they raised five children. Over the next thirty years he was active in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, he was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Prescott Unified School Board. He was very proud of a 50 year affiliation with the Yavapai County Mounted Sheriff Posse. Charlie retired from the grocery business in 1990. Charlie was a man of great faith and was a life long member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. He loved being “out in the woods” while hunting and fishing. His biggest thrill was harvesting a Rocky Mountain big horn ram at age 88 after 47 years of unsuccessful attempts at getting drawn for this rare hunt. He was so proud that his four sons were able to share this moment. All of his many hunts were further enhanced by the company of his brothers, sons, grandchildren, cousins and nephews. He was an avid ASU fan and followed their athletic program closely. Survivors are Joan, his wife of 62 years, children Marilyn Wilcox (Reid), John (Kim), Jim, Chuck (Sarah), and Joe (Stacie). He was proud of his 10 grandchildren: Matthew and Brian Wilcox, Jason, Joel (Kaitey), Kristin, James, Will, Josie, Ava, and Leo Fornara. He is also survived by brothers Louis (Ninta) of Prescott and George (Margaret) of Kirkland. Besides his brothers, Charlie was raised with 5 cousins: Joe (deceased), Jim, and Art Savoini along with Ann Fornara Olsen and Robert Fornara, both deceased. Other family include sisters-in-law Winifred Gegg (deceased), Marjorie Gegg Trengove, brother-in-law Ray Trengove and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cemetery:
Inurnment at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 29 at Prescott National Cemetery with full military honors.