Ralph A. Forrest Sr.

11/26/2007

Ralph A. Forrest Sr., 84, of Lucca St., Fort Myers, Fla., died Monday at home. Born in Great Barrington on April 18, 1923, son of Gordon and Ruth Bristol Forrest, he graduated from the former Searles High School in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Fort Devens until recall to active duty with the Air Force in 1948. He graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland in 1972. An Army Air Force veteran of World War II, he served in the European theater until 1945. He also served in the U.S., Canada and Hawaii and flew to most of the countries in the free world during active service. He retired as a colonel to Lakeland, Fla., in 1969. Mr. Forrest taught math at Auburndale (Fla.) Junior High School, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Reserve Officers Association and the National Education Association. He and his wife, the former Vera Spagnolatti, would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary Dec. 1. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Ralph A. Forrest Jr. of Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii, and Timothy G. Forrest of Asheville, N.C.; two daughters, Cynthia Ann Forrest, with whom he resided, and Pamela Jo Orr, both of Fort Myers; a sister, Helen Agar of Lenox; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Visiting hours for Ralph A. Forrest Sr., who died Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, will be Monday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at KELLY FUNERAL HOME in Lee. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends wishing may make donations in his memory to the Lee Youth Association, in care of the funeral home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.

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