~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, NEA/DL F/O Fernando “Fern” Pierre
Forest
January 31, 1935 – March 25, 2025
As noted in the June-July issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam column, the passing of DL F/O Fernando P. Forest Jr.
Lt. Col. Fernando P. Forest, USAF, Ret., age 90,
passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025 surrounded by family……Fernando joined
Northeast Airlines 03-06-1967 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1995, and was
a Delta Golden Wings member. Widowed in
May 2024 with the passing of his wife Elizabeth, Fernando is survived by his
children and many more dear family members.
PCN memorial site
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fort-lauderdale-fl/fernando-forest-12311463
Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens
Lt. Col. Fernando P. Forest, USAF, Ret., 90,
passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born in
Chicopee, Massachusetts on January 31, 1935 to Fernando Joseph Forest, and Ida
(St.Sauveur) Forest. He graduated from Belchertown High School in 1952 where he
played accordian in a band, and had already developed his love of all things
aviation. Fernando married Elizabeth A. Forest on January 19,1957. Their 67
year marriage would welcome 4 children, all who shared his love of aviation, travel,
and music.
After graduation, he briefly studied drafting
before joining the United States Air Force in 1953 serving in the motor pool.
Already a licensed pilot since the age of 17, he applied for flight school in
1955 and was accepted to Pilot Training at Williams AFB and Luke AFB in
Arizona. He received his pilot wings in January of 1956 and was assigned to the
131st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Air National Guard.
During his military career, he flew over 2500
hours in aircraft including the B-25, C-47, T-33, F-94, F-86H, F-84F, and
F-100D. He was deployed on active duty with the United States Air Force to
Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base in France from 1961to1962. He also was deployed
to Wheelus Air Base in Lybia for gunnery training. He retired with the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel in 1974 after 21 years of service.
In 1967 Fernando began a commercial airline career
with Northeast Airlines. He was with Northeast until their merger with Delta
Airlines in 1972. In 1973 the family made the move from Connecticut to
Plantation, Florida. Fernando retired from Delta Airlines in 1995 after a 28
year career in commercial aviation. Fernando loved to share his joy of flying,
taking friends and family into the sky for an aerobatic ride in his Albee
biplane. He was a founding member of the Flying Educators Club, serving in many
capacities and keeping their planes fit to fly throughout the decades. He made
many friends at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport always happy to lend a hand
and to share his aviation knowledge.
Fernando is predeceased by his loving wife of 67
years, Elizabeth A. Forest; a son , Jonathan David Forest; his brother, Normand
Forest; and his parents Fernando Joseph Forest and Ida Forest.
Fernando is survived by his children, Francis
Forest (Catherine) of DeLand, Florida; Elizabeth A. Forest of Montrose,
Colorado; and Kenneth Forest of Plantation, Florida. He is also survived by his
sister Georgette English; brother Robert Forest and sister in law Dea Forest;
and sister in law Mary Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the National WWII Museum (Support
.nationalww2museum.org) or the EAA Foundation (eaa.org).
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fort-lauderdale-fl/elizabeth-forest-11797915
Elizabeth A Forest
July 28, 1935 – May 4, 2024
Elizabeth A. Forest, 88, of Plantation, Florida
passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in
Ware, Massachusetts on July, 28, 1935 to Osborne and Pearl (Grow) Davis. She
married Fernando P. Forest on January 19, 1957. Elizabeth was a graduate of
Belchertown High School…………………………………
No comments:
Post a Comment