RICH AND SUZANNE FORNARO


SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS


YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2022



He might have been born in Somers Point, NJ, but Rich Fornaro "grew up in Hamilton and never left."

"I've had the good fortune of being involved with Steinert Athletics beginning when I was 8, spending every moment I could with my father (a Hall of Fame coach) at football or some other sports activity," he says. "Through Steinert Athletics I met and learned from other great men that were my coaches that I'm proud are my friends today.

"And, I had the chance to play football with guys who have been great friends for 45 years (including some who attended the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies)."

"I had the pleasure of coaching Rich while he was a student at Steinert," said SHS Athletic Hall of Fame Co-Founder and Co-Chairperson Frank Lugossy. "Now Rich and his wife, Suzanne, are tireless members of the Hall of Fame Committee and are being recognized as contributors into the Hall of Fame for all their hard work.”

"Steinert Athletics has a unique and enduring history," Rich, a member of the vaunted SHS Class of 1979, says. "The Steinert Hall of Fame serves to assure generations of Spartan athletes are continually connected through honoring the great ladies and men that played and recognizing the new generation of student athletes each year. It's important to maintain the Steinert Athletic traditions."

Both of the Fornaros are hard workers in every aspect of their lives. Rich, who attended Gettysburg College and Seton Hall School of Law, has enjoyed a stellar legal career. Suzanne, who among other professional endeavors, has a private practice in speech pathology, are good at juggling their many obligations. Even with a full load, including numerous charitable and community-service activities, they find the time and energy to assist the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

"When asked to be part of the Steinert High School Athletic Hall Of Fame Committee, I did not hesitate to accept," Suzanne said. "I am an event planner at heart and looked forward to working with the committee to create events that would be memorable for Steinert Athletes - both students and alumni. Loving traditions, I enjoy giving the former inductees a place to get together and remember their glory days as well as honoring new inductees as they become part of an elite group within the Steinert Athletic Community who will forever walk in the Hall of Fame Parade of Athletes."

The Fornaros have two children, sons Nicholas and Michael who excelled as students and athletes at SHS.


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