James Joseph Forrestal

April 11, 2019

I was proudly stationed with Lieutenant Commander Forrestal at Naval Reserve Readiness Command - Region 19 in San Diego in 1978. I was the Journalist for the unit. I recall having some long and meaningful chats with Jim. Our command was on the 3rd deck of a building at Harbor & Broadway and extended out into the San Diego Harbor, overlooking the (then) new Coronado Bay Bridge and North Island Naval Air Station. It was all business during duty hours, but we became buddies...

Remembering you, dear old Dad. Yesterday would've been your 80th birthday.

We love you, cherish our memories, and hope the burgers in heaven are "stePENdous"!!! I got much of my sense of humor from you, and miss all the silliness and laughter. I miss our long talks, and still know what you'd say if we were given the chance to chat again in this life. I know you and mom are watching over us all.

Great news: you have a third beautiful, healthy great-grandchild! Life is good....

I had the distinct pleasure to serve with you shipmate. Not only did we share the names James Joseph but we shared many of life’s experiences together. Active Navy, defense contracting, Navy civil service and we overcame some bad habits and shared similar health problems. All were overcome one day at a time. You could be counted upon to perform at the highest professional level making everyone proud to be associated with you. Your dedication to the country and devotion to your assigned...

Uncle Jim will be missed by many. Like others, I will remember him for his smiling disposition and his great stories. He always made it clear that we should be proud of our heritage and proud of the family we are part of. Uncle Jim was another example of why that is so true. God bless you Uncle Jim- I hope you have a few rousing renditions of "Danny Boy" going up there.

To all the family: Jimmy and all of you have been, and will continue to be, uppermost in my thoughts and prayers these last few weeks. So hard to believe that he is gone from this earth. He was a fun, sensitive and caring brother-in-law, a terrific and loving uncle to my dear sons and daughters. Every memory of Jim makes me smile. Godspeed and love, Sister-in-law Linda Forrestal Rice.

My dear Uncle Jim has left me with so many happy memories and mementos. There were the visits to his 'pad' in Long Beach, and listening to the 1972 All Star game on the transistor radio at the community center. The special visits to Whittier from "my Dad's cool brother who is in the Navy -and- has a red Mustang Mach 1 -and- a motorcyle, too", to the visits to San Diego to visit him while serving in the Gator Navy. The ship visit in Annapolis where a proud plebe could say his Uncle was the...

If only everyone had an Unca J the world would be a better place. Spending two weeks with him in Ireland, his parent's birthplace, was incredible. He was fascinated by every person we met, family or not... well everyone in Ireland was family to him, but related or not, he opened his heart to all he met. Uncle Jim truly gave me a new perspective on family and life during those weeks and I will always love him for that. God speed to you Uncle Jim. You will always be a special man to...

Sad to lose another shipmate. We'll all make that voyage sooner or later. Hopefully, we will find, as Jim has, immortality in the memories of those we leave behind..

ONe of life's colorful characters and all round good guy has ended his stay here on earth...his new life began Sept 25,2005. as our Liturgy states, "life is changed, not taken away."We are grateful for the many comments received by the family on Jim's behalf from near and far. Thinking of Jim now and then will produce warm feeling and evoke a gentle smile, for his presence and hearty handshake made you feel welcome. Jim, tell Dad we miss him also and may you both rest in peace...Jack...