Michael Dennis Fornino Born on July 18, 1935 to James and Ann Fornino, Mike departed this earthy plane on September 17, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra, his grandchildren, Gabriella (Ell) and their spouse Bethany, Evan, and Brandon and his great-grandchild, Ember. He was predeceased by his parents, his siblings James, Bernard, and Catherine, and by his son, Gregory. Mike grew up in Long Branch and was a proud member of the Long Branch High School graduating class of 1953 and received a degree in Business Administration from Monmouth College in 1979. Mike met Sandra by telephone in 1962 and, after wooing her with weekly Thursday afternoon lunches (which continued for 40+ years!), they married in the Spring of 1968 and went on to have two beautiful children. He was an avid roller blader, runner, and cyclist, and a competitive ice speed skater well into his 70' s. In fact, he was more than once chased off the ice of Alberta and Sunset Lakes by the local police as they feared it was unsafe. In typical Mike fashion he responded by telling them, “I didn’t get old by being stupid! I know when the ice is safe!” He was a born mechanic and prided himself on his ability to fix anything and everything around the house and with the cars. Mike was a prominent business owner in Asbury Park for 52 years. He served on the Neptune Township Board of Education, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Board of Health for many years. He served as president to the Long Branch and Neptune Republican clubs and was very active in local politics. He was also very involved in his son’s Boy Scout Troop and as well as the board of the Shore Area YMCA of Asbury Park. As a member of the Asbury Park Rotary Club, Mike boasted perfect attendance for 53 years, served a term as its president, and was made a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award in that organization. Additionally, after having recovered from triple bypass surgery himself, Mike volunteered for 16 years with the Mended Hearts Program, visiting with and supporting cardiac patients at the Jersey Shore Medical Center. Everyone who knew Mike knows that he was a real character. He had opinions on everything and loved to write letters to the editor to express his strong, if occasionally unpopular views. Whether or not you agreed with him, Mike always had a kind word and a story about his kids or grand kids for you. He was so proud of his family and they of him. He was a steadfast husband and father, an exemplary citizen, and a paragon of integrity. Mike’s was a life well lived and he will be sorely missed. A Visitation will take place at Buckley Funeral Home in Asbury Park on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 4-6pm. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Holy Innocents Catholic Church on Route 33 in Neptune, NJ on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 10am. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Asbury Park Rotary Club Foundation at PO Box 512 Asbury Park, NJ 07712-0512.  
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