Derby, Vermont
1917 - 2007
Forrest W. Rice, 90, of Derby passed away in Newport on December 10,
2007.
He was born on March 18, 1917 in Derby the son of Harry and Vinnie
(Fellows) Rice, who predeceased him as did his step-mother Mildred Rice.
Forrest spent his early years in the Derby area and graduated from Derby Academy in 1936. He enlisted in the Army onr month after Pearl Habor and served in the Army Air corps from 1942 until 1945 attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant. After the service, Forrest joined his father at Rice Chevrolet which was located at the foot of East Main Street and the Causeway. This became Frawley Chevrolet in 1958 and eventually led to Mulkin Chevrolet.
For a short time he and Ross Whipple owned Rice-Whipple Furniture Store. Forrest also sold used cars on the Derby Road for a few years before retiring. He was a charter member of the Newport Elks B.P.O.E. #2155, as well as a member of the American Legion Post #21 of Newport, and the VFW Alfred Pepin Post #798.
His great love was boating and he owned several which he had on Lake
Memphremagog over many years. Forrest also did a lot of traveling,
including a trip around the United States and spending much time in
Florida. He also enjoyed going out to eat at area restaurants with many different friends and delighted in visiting with the waitresses and their many acts of kindness.
Forrest is survived by the mother of their son and very best friend, Hester Rice of Newport, his son, William Rice and his wife Gloria of Calais, and his grandchildren, Warren and Caroline Rice also of Calais, and a sister, Dorothy McHenry of West Virginia and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and dear friends Maurice and Rhonda Besaw and family of Derby.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday December 14, 2007 at the
Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road,
Newport with the Rev. Marc Aube officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until the hour of the funeral service on Friday.Spring interment will he held at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire contributions in Forrest’s memory may be made to the Dailey Memorial Library, in memory of Ione Fellows, Main Street, Derby, Vt. 05829.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral
home website: www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rsuhford Funeral Homes locally family owned and operated.
I wish my parents had introduced me to you , we lived only a few miles away, yet we never met, or had any get togethers as a family, I feel I have missed out on knowing a branch of our family tree , I even worked almost across the road from you before I even knew you were a relative, how does that happen?
Christopher Rice
October 26, 2024 | West Charleston, VT | Family
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Forrest. I used to wait on him in the restaurant I worked part time at. Forrest was a very polite and pleasant man and I am pleased to have met him. He always wore a smile on his face.
Cyndi Hastings
December 31, 2007 | Jay, VT
Dear Bill and Hester,
Forgive my tardiness, I am so very sorry for the loss of dear Ricey. I look at his photo and see the kind man that loved my father and mother very much. He was a close friend to our family, me and my sisters. My father and he had such good times and stories to tell. Of course, their love of cars and boats went back to 1940s. The past 8-10 summers Ricey and I would go to lunch and talk about old times when I visited our cottage at the Bluffs. Having lost my...
Sandy Rowell-Boyd
December 30, 2007 | Danville, CA
Bill, Gloria & Family:
Please accept our sympathy on the death of your dad, father-in-law, and grandfather. Although we did not know him personally, Bill shared stories of his dad, and from these stories, Forrest certainly enjoyed life to the fullest.
Again, we are sorry for your loss.
Paul & Lynn Guare
December 14, 2007 | Montpelier, VT
Our family has lost a dear friend. I am glad we got to visit with Forrest this summer when we were in Newport. He was always so happy to see us. We will miss him. Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Doreen (Lindsley) and Earl Mahoney
Doreen Mahoney
December 13, 2007 | Ormond Beach, FL
I want to extend my sincere condolences to Hester and Bill and his family. I have known Forrest all my life and his family and ours have been friends for ages. He was always an extremely friendly person who always made an effort to say hello. He's an icon who will be missed.
Doug and Sara McKenny and family.
Newport Center
Doug McKenny
December 12, 2007 | Newport Center, VT
