Elio J. Fornatto

It is with saddened hearts that we say good bye to Dr. Elio Joseph Fornatto, who went to be with the Lord peacefully at his home on June 18th, 2026. He was the dedicated husband of the late Mary Elizabeth(Pearson) Fornatto, proud father of Sue Carney(Jim), Bob Fornatto(Mary Ann), and Dan Fornatto(Kathy). “Papa” was the cherished grandfather of Kelly Schwabe(Ben), Madeline Beinlich(Mitch), Allison Rafferty(Tommy), Annmarie Fornatto, Patrick Fornatto, Julia Bobadilla(Skylar) and Nick Fornatto(Tia). Elio was the great grandfather of Theo Schwabe, Jack Schwabe, Otto Schwabe, Lou Beinlich and Grace Rafferty. He was the fond uncle of Jim, Martha and Stephanie Walker, Elisa Denoye`and Mara Fornatto. Elio was the eldest brother of the late Dario Fornatto and the late Livia Fornatto.

Elio Joseph was born on July 2nd, 1928 to Giulia Stabio Fornatto and Mario Fornatto in Torino, Italy. His Roman Catholic faith was nurtured by his parents in Italy and continued throughout his life in the United States. He grew up in war torn Italy under the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, surviving nightly Allied bombings during World War II, and witnessing other wartime atrocities. During this same time, he excelled in school which fed his desire to become a medical doctor. As valedictorian of his medical school class, he earned a one year residency at the University of Illinois. After that year, he was invited to stay and complete his Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat training. He subsequently joined the team at the Elmhurst Clinic in February 1958, where he fully devoted himself for the next forty three years competently performing everything from tonsillectomies to complex head and neck cancer surgeries. He was always available for his patients no matter the day nor the hour. Dr. Fornatto was well known as Elmhurst’s Italian ENT physician who always wore a bow tie.

Dr. Fornatto was passionate about education. He often shared Calvin Coolidge’s famous quote “persistence and determination are omnipotent” with his children. He loved to learn about new developments in medicine, investment strategies and at one point, spoke up to six foreign languages which greatly assisted him in his numerous travel adventures with his family.

At the age of 72, Dr. Fornatto retired from the practice of medicine and was able to enjoy more time with his family. He was excited to teach his grandchildren the Italian language. One Saturday afternoon, he was found directing the choir of three little granddaughters standing up on their chairs singing “Volare” at the top of their lungs.

He also loved making homemade pasta with the family. As the official meat grinder and pasta machine handle turner, he graciously took directions from his sweet wife Mary while creating spaghetti, fettucine, and ravioli-Deliziosa!

Having been married to Mary for 63 years, he is now reunited with her for eternity which brings great joy and peace to his family.

At almost 98 years young, he handled his age related health challenges with courage, strength and stamina.

Elio will be remembered as a faithful husband, strong leader, beloved physician, generous father, uncle and grandfather. He lived a long and prosperous life and his legacy of Christian faith, family, education, integrity and hard work will live on through his family.

A visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 East Roosevelt Rd, Oakbrook Terrace, on July 10th from 4:00PM to 8:00PM.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 11th at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 South York Rd in Elmhurst Illinois at 10:00AM. Entombment to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens West Mausoleum.