Gerrard "Jerry" Forster

Gerrard Gareis Forster (Jerry) was born on December 23, 1940 and at age 82 died in Colorado Springs, CO on April 1, 2023. He passed away peacefully after a long battle with lung disease and cardiac issues related to his time in the US Navy.

He was born in West Hempstead, NY to Louis C Forster and Harriett (Johnson) and had a beloved older sister, Audrey.

He married Roberta Klawonn in 1964 and they had two daughters: Audrey R. Wagner (Brian) and Jeri E. Forster (Ari).  In 1995 he married Carolynne Cummings and they moved to Florissant, CO.  He is also survived by two grandchildren, Will (Seattle) and Julian (Nashville), and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Jerry joined the US Navy in 1960 and retired from service in 1982, after 23 years of service. He reached the rank of Radioman Senior Chief Petty Officer. He began his service in Philadelphia, PA in 1960 and was stationed around the world. His tours included:

USS Howard W Gilmore, Charleston SC
USS Ranger, Alameda CA
USS Tatnuck, Bremerton WA
Naval Air Station, Albany GA
Naval Communication Station, Asmara Ethiopia
Military Sealift Command, Naples Italy
USS Saginaw, Little Creek, Virginia Beach VA
US Naval Communication Station Thurso UK
Naval Air Station, Pensacola FL

After the Navy, Jerry moved to Colorado Springs and worked for the US Postal Service for 17 years before fully retiring.

Jerry brought joy to the lives of everyone he touched through his kindness and stellar sense of humor. He was a fierce and faithful NY Yankees fan and Notre Dame football booster. He was also an avid bowler, playing on many leagues and was able to achieve one 299 game.  Jerry had a deep love of dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers. He was known as the ‘Dogfather’ to not only his own dogs, but truly any dog who was in his presence. Jerry met Carolynne through volunteer work with Canine Companions for Independence. He also did therapy work with his dogs; sharing them with hospital patients and nursing home residents. He was a talented field trial trainer and achieved two Master Hunter titles. Jerry and Carolynne were members of St. David of the Hills Episcopal Church for 18 years.

A viewing will be held at Mountain Memorial Funeral Home in Divide, CO on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm.
A church service will occur the next day April 5, 2023 at 10am at St. David’s (36 Edlowe Rd., Woodland Park, CO). Rev. Vaughan McTernan will officiate, and a reception brunch will follow. Interment will be at a later date at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery (10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925).

Please consider a donation to the Springs Rescue Mission (https://www.springsrescuemission.org/) in Jerry's name - this cause spoke to his heart.

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