Donald J. Forno, D.D.S.

Dr. Donald J. Forno, a retired family dentist, died on Friday of complications from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis at Upper Chesapeake Hospital in Bel Air. The Maryland native, who was 69, was the son of Joseph and Lillian Forno.

After graduating from Mt. Carmel primary School in 1954 and then Kenwood High School in 1957, Dr. Forno earned his B.A. from the University of Maryland at College Park and his D.D.S. from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore in 1965. He then participated in an oral surgery internship at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore before joining the U.S Army Dental Corp where he served two years at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Dr. Forno moved to Joppatowne in Harford County with his wife and two sons, Marc and Chris, and opened his private dental practice in the community in 1970, where he practiced until his retirement in 2004. He loved dentistry as well as interacting with his patients and employees. Dr. Forno donated many hours of dentistry to the needy during his career and was well-known for his honesty, integrity and sense of humor.

His many interests included wine appreciation and good food; he was an accomplished cook, preferring to dine at home with family and friends to dining out. He also had an avid interest in politics, both current and historical. A bonsai gardener, he often spent hours working with his trees and visiting bonsai exhibits, but his favorite pastime was interacting with his four grandchildren.

Dr. Forno was a retired member of The American Dental Association, The Maryland State Dental Association, The Harford-Cecil Dental Society, The University of Maryland Alumni Association, The Baltimore Bonsai Club and was a former participant in The Harford County Donated Dental Services Program.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judith Tutchton Forno, two sons, Dr. D. Marcus Forno and his wife Dr. Young Lee of Salisbury, MD; Christopher Paul Forno and his wife Ruba of Denver Colorado; two brothers, Thomas R. Forno and his wife Amy of Baltimore; and Samuel Paul Forno and his wife Nancy of Timonium, Maryland. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Marcus, Jack, Nathan and Lindsay Forno.
Contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy, 1700 Reistertown Rd. Suite 226, Baltimore, MD 21208