Joseph F. Forth

GANSEVOORT -- Joseph F. Forth, 34, of Gansevoort, passed away Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at his home, after a long struggle with drug addiction.

Born July 15, 1973, in Glens Falls, he was the beloved son of Robert F. Forth of South Glens Falls, and Diane Pepe of Gansevoort.

Joe was a renowned tattoo artist and owner of The Tattoo Clinic in South Glens Falls, winning national awards for his work. He was a proud member of the National Alliance of Professional Tattooists since 2006. Joe was a true friend and was loved by everyone whose lives he touched. His legacy will live on, on the hundreds of people who proudly wear his artwork.

His paternal grandparents, Frank and Yvonne Forth, his maternal grandfather, Joseph J. Pepe, and his best friend, "Rusty," have all predeceased him.

Survivors include his mother, Diane Pepe of Gansevoort; his father and stepmother, Robert and Tina Forth of South Glens Falls; maternal grandmother, Mary Pepe of Glens Falls; one sister, Jodi Forth of Ballston Spa; two nieces, Nova Rexroad and Emily Mercier of Ballston Spa; two aunts, Cindy Pepe of Dade City, Fla., and Patti Pepe of Queensbury; one uncle, Peter Pepe of Queensbury; several cousins, his best buddy, "Mia," along with several great-aunts and many, many friends who loved him dearly.

Friends may call upon his family, today, Sunday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 3, and 5 to 7 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury.

Although there will be no formal funeral service, the family has asked guests to come prepared to share their memories of Joe starting at 7 p.m., following the evening calling hours.

Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery at a time convenient to the family.

For donations, in loving memory of Joe, contact The Tattoo Clinic for further information, (518) 743-9678, or send to mailing address, 77 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803.

Condolences may be e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com, or mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804.

"Tell your children every day that you love them and not to do drugs."

This obituary was originally published in the Post Star.