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Family asks New Bedford committee to approve plaque honoring longtime neighborhood coach Anton Fortz
Summary
Jacqueline Fort Spino told the committee her brother, Anton T. Fortz, taught neighborhood children gymnastics for decades and asked for a permanent memorial at the northeast corner of Monte Park; Parks staff recommended a mounted plaque and the committee referred the request to the full city council and Park Board for Sept. 25.
The New Bedford special committee on memorials and dedications on Monday heard a request from Jacqueline Fort Spino to install a memorial at the northeast corner of Monte Park for her brother, Anton T. Fortz.
"He passed from COVID complications in 2001," Fort Spino said, explaining her brother taught neighborhood children gymnastics and tumbling for more than 50 years. Parks Department staff, represented by Mary Raposa, recommended a mounted plaque fixed to the wall in the park’s northeast corner as a more durable option than a banner. Raposa said the plaque could be secured with the Department of Public Infrastructure if the wall is repaired in the future.
Committee members discussed placement and durability. Councilors indicated a plaque would make the dedication visible to children and neighborhood residents; one member raised the possibility of a larger monument at Washington Square Park to reflect Fortz’s long association with that site. The committee voted to refer the memorial application to the full city council and the Park Board for consideration on the Sept. 25 agenda.
Next steps: Parks staff will draft plaque specifications and work with the Park Board and the council on placement and wording if the full council approves the referral.
