ANTHONY LOUIS 'BUDDY' FORESTELLO

May 22, 2021

Age 93 died on Saturday May 22, 2021 at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital after breaking his hip and battling pneumonia. He was born on June 19, 1927 to Antonio R. Forestello and Margaret Barbera Forestello in San Antonio, Texas. He lived with his parents and older sister, Margaret Marie Forestello Veltri on San Luis Street. After graduating from high school, he entered the Army Air Corps on August 21, 1945. He served as a Corporal in the Pacific Theater, on Okinawa until the war ended and he returned home in 1947. (If asked what he did he would jokingly tell you he 'flew a typewriter.') His fellow enlisted and the officers all called him 'Kid', but the commanding officer called him 'Tex.'

Once back in San Antonio he helped to take care of his mother who had Hodgkin's Lymphoma until her passing. Buddy, as his older sister dubbed him the day of his birth, was a consummate salesman. He could sell anything to anyone. He spent his sales time with everything from cars and shoes to diamonds and fine jewelry. In 1957 he met the love of his life, Sue Ann Keller, and after 10 years of courtship they married on June 3, 1967. They spent the next 50 years living a life of service, love, and adventure, welcoming their only child, daughter Suzan in 1971.

Over his lifetime, Buddy did what he believed was right. He served his church, San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church, in many capacities, including as an altar server growing up, as well as president of the San Francescani Society. He also was a member of several Italian heritage organizations including ItaloAmerican, UNICO National – serving as president and board member for several years, and the Christopher Columbus Italian Society – serving as president and board member/chairman for several years. During his time with CCIS he created the 'Homeless Dinner' and began the tradition of the 100 Club Spaghetti Dinner, along with Joe Salvaggio, which gave back to the families of the fallen first responders in San Antonio. He valued service to country, city, church, and family very highly.

His family grew several times over the years with the birth of his oldest granddaughter, Kathryn in 1992, the marriage of his only daughter in 2005, and the birth of his youngest granddaughter, Sophia in 2010. Family was the most important thing to him; he would do anything for his 'girls' and did. He loved to travel and enjoyed taking his family on the road with him as he traveled 17 states in his sales career. He was able to make several trips to Europe before his wife, Sue, began her battle with cancer.

Buddy is survived by his older sister, Margaret Marie Forestello Veltri of Colorado, his only daughter Suzan Forestello vonStultz (married to Franz) of San Antonio, his granddaughters – Kathryn Forestello and Sophia vonStultz, his nephew Jimmy Veltri (married to Patsy) of Colorado, great-niece Frances Veltri of Colorado, and numerous cousins both in the United States and abroad.

Rosary to take place on June 14, 2021 at the Angelus Chapel at 7 pm with viewing to precede at 6pm. Funeral Mass to take place on June 15, 2021 at San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church at 12noon with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.