This month’s “Spotlight” shines on one of the true ‘stars’ in the annals of Black Transit Police Officer organizations, Ronald Forte.

Ron was born May 23, 1938, in Harlem, New York. He attended Central Commercial High School, Brooklyn Community College and Queens College. He attained an Associate Degree in Accounting and is just 20 credits shy of the requirements for his Bachelors Degree. Ron served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960, attached to an aviation branch operating out of Jacksonville, Florida.

Ron joined the Transit Police Department in July 1964. He worked in Districts 30, 23, 33 and the Operations Unit, where he opted for a vested retirement in 1982.

The name ‘Ron Forte’ is synonymous with service. He has had stints as Treasurer and 2nd Vice President of the Cerberean Society. During the Lloyd Finley administration, Ron served as Chairman of the Board of the Transit Guardians. After leaving the department Ron has served as President, and then Chairman of the Board of the Retired Guardians Fraternal Association. In each position, let it be said that Ron performed his duties “with distinction”. Ron is most proud of founding the “Scholarship Fund” in 1992, the “Man of the Year” award in 1991 and the “Telephone Notification Network in 1991, while serving as President of the RGFA.

Ron takes pride in his son Tyrone, who embodies what Ron would like to be known to be “a good person”. The “Spotlight” is of the opinion that the son reflects the father. Tyrone was extremely fortunate in having a teacher such as Ron.

Ron is a true “renaissance Man” whose varied interests lie in golf, poker, chess, horseback riding and cruises. He has been married to his wife Johnnie for thirteen years and resides in Rochdale, New York. Ron can be reached by e-mail at jomarofoinc@aol.com