Michael Anthony Forte

Michael Anthony Forte was born in Seattle, Washington on November 17, 1950, into a large Italian family. He died on July 6, 2026, from complications from Multiple Sclerosis at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, WA. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Giselda and Joseph Forte. He is survived by his wife, Janet Bakes, brothers Mario Forte (Kris Keough) and Anthony Forte (Kathleen), and his children Sarah (Christian Lease) and Peter. He is remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Mike attended O’Dea Catholic High School in Seattle and served as valedictorian. He was manager of the football team and competed on the debate team. Mike received a full academic scholarship from the Horrigan Foundation to Notre Dame University. After receiving his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame in 1973, Mike backpacked around Europe for a few months. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Washington in 1978. He enjoyed living in the University District with his parakeet and became a regular at the Deluxe Tavern.

Next, Mike did four years of postdoctoral research in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He met Janet on a blind date set up by mutual friends and they were engaged four months later. Mike became an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1982. Sarah and Peter were born while Mike and Janet lived in Cleveland. One of the happiest days of Mike’s life was the day he sold his snowblower, because he knew he was moving to Oregon where he wouldn’t need it anymore.

Mike joined the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland as a scientist in 1986 and was promoted to senior scientist in 1993 with concurrent appointments in the Departments of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology and Molecular and Medical Genetics in the School of Medicine. He was also an affiliate member of OHSU’s Jungers Center and the Knight Cancer and Cardiovascular Institutes. Mike earned accolades for his presentations at research symposia around the world, and he also served a term at the National Institute of Health Study Sections during the 1990s.

Mike was an excellent mentor and helped numerous budding scientists start their careers. He developed a reputation as someone who could provide professional support and wise advice. In 2015, he spent several months working on sabbatical in Italy with his close colleague and best friend, Paolo Bernardi, in Paolo’s lab at the University de Padua. Forte was granted the title of Professor Emeritus from the Vollum Institute when he retired in 2020.

In Portland, Mike and Janet attended Rose City Park Presbyterian Church for many years, where Mike served as a deacon and joined an adult fellowship group with whom he remained connected for over 30 years. Mike enjoyed bowling and watching horse racing, as well as supporting the Cleveland Guardians. He was a proud shareholder of the Green Bay Packers. Mike loved to cook, and he became an incredible baker during his retirement.

Mike had MS for almost 30 years. First, he had a limp. Then, he reluctantly started using a cane. Next came leg braces. After a while, he needed to use a walker, and then a travel scooter. Through all of this, he continued to work and take care of his family. He rarely missed a day of work because of his disease. As his MS progressed, it became harder to be mobile. More falls; less strength. Spasticity in his legs made it hard to sleep. He lost more strength during the Covid lockdown, and he traded his scooter for a power wheelchair. His disease caused him to continue to decline, and the past 6 months were especially hard. He expressed that he was so uncomfortable in his body, and while we miss him terribly, we are relieved that he is free.

As remembrances and condolences have poured in, it is clear that Mike will be remembered fondly for his kindness, generosity, warmth and humor. He was known for his warm, booming laugh that could fill any room, and for telling stories that, while maybe a little exaggerated, would make you laugh until you cried. But most importantly, he did everything he could to support his loved ones in difficult times, even while going through them himself. He loved and was proud of his family and made sure they knew it, and he loved Christian like a son.

Mike’s family plans to celebrate his life privately. Remembrances can be made to the ACLU or World Central Kitchen.