Obituary: William J. Forster

Mr. William J. Forster, age 84, of 116 Patterson Street, Tamaqua, Pa., died Saturday, July 29, 2006, at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Medical Center in Coaldale, Pa.

Bill is a member of St. Jerome R.C.C. Tamaqua, and a graduate of the St. Jerome High School Class of 1940. Upon Graduation, Bill entered the Army Air Corp serving in the Battle of Normandy during the European Air-Offensive in Europe. For his gallantry, Bill was awarded the the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, and the European/African Middle Eastern Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars. Bill is a Purple Heart recipient, and maintains membership in the I.W.S.A. WWII Club.

A lifetime member of the East End Fire Co. Bill served as a Line Captain, and he served on the Fireman's Relief Board of Control in Tamaqua, Pa..

Other affiliations include: Tamaqua Rotary Club; Carpenter's and Jointer's United Brotherhood. Bill was instrumental in organizing the Tamaqua Bi-Centennial Parade.

Bill retired from the Tamaqua Area School District as Superintendent of Maintenance in the late 1980's.

Born in Lansford, Pa., he was the son of the late William Forster and the late Anna (Moser) Forster.

He is survived by his two daughters: Mrs. Rosemary Allen of Newark, Del.; and Mrs. Susie Comisac, wife of, Bud,of Tamaqua, Pa.

Three Sons: Mr. William "Bill" M. Forster and his wife, Maryann, of Casselberry, Fla.; Mr. Joseph J. Forster and his wife, Patty, of Tamaqua, Pa. and Mr. George P. Forster and his wife, Patricia, of Auburn, Pa.

Bill is survived by twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Honus) Forster and a son, Jimmy; two brothers, Albert and Carl; and three sisters, Mrs. Terry Beddall, Ursula Galic, and Katherine Schaeffer.

Arrangements are being handled by: E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc., 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa., where his family will receive friends from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, August 1, 2006; and Wednesday morning from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.. Prayer Services are at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday evening.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at 10 o'clock A.M. at St. Jerome R.C.C. West Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa.

Interment will be at St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery in Tamaqua, Pa. Graveside military honors will be presented.

Memorials may be made to the WWII Disabled War Veterans or your Local Toy's for Tot's Drive.

Online Condolences and Registry Book maybe signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com