John L. Forrestall

1945 - 2024

John L. Forrestall

Concord, NH - John L. Forrestall died peacefully on August 31, 2024, at The Birches at Concord.

John was born on October 7, 1945 in Concord, NH, to John W. and Evelyn (Blodgett) Forrestall. Other than during his service in the US Army, he lived and worked in Concord for his entire life. John was the President of his graduating class from St. John High School, Class of 1963. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire, Class of 1967. In 1983 he received a Master of Business Administration from Rivier College.

John was very proud of his service in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1972. He served as an officer in the Corps of Engineers and qualified as a U.S. Army Ranger. His active duty assignments included West Germany, South Korea, and Ft. Devens, MA.

In 1972 he began a thirty year career with the City of Concord, NH. He held the positions of Highway Superintendent, Assistant Director of Water Works, Director of Water Works, and finally, Director of Water Resources. He was highly regarded by the professional associations he was active in. He was well liked and respected by employees, his colleagues, the City Council, and the community.

From the time he was a boy, the outdoors was John's "happy place". Whether hunting, fishing, or just working in the yard, he found contentment in nature. He enjoyed a drive to York, ME to eat a lobster and visit Nubble Light, a margarita at Hermano's on Friday night, tending a fire in the fire pit, and get togethers with his St. John classmates or his UNH Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brothers.

He and Ann shared the love of the outdoors, college hockey (though things were tense when UNH played BC), trips to Disney World, and cherished visits to Colorado for hunting, fishing, and visiting with family.

John always had a story, and enjoyed the telling of it...about his childhood in Concord, his Army days or his hunting escapades. But nothing lit up his eyes and smile more than sharing updates on his greatest pride and joy: his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 30 years, Ann Forrestall; five children: Lisa Walsh and her husband Joseph, James Forrestall, John W. Forrestall, Joseph Forrestall and his wife Margaret, and Meghan Masterson and her husband Mark. Eleven grandchildren: Madyson and Tristan Laflamme, Avery, Delaney and Kadie Forrestall, Jonah, Kael and Logan Forrestall, Escher and Jesse Forrestall, and Connor Masterson. He also leaves two sisters Hildamarie Trott and her husband Peter, and Kathy Garp and her husband Per, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was kind and steadfast, stubborn yet charming, a true gentleman, and will be dearly missed by his loved ones

Memorial visiting hours will be held on Wednesday September 11th from 4 to 7 PM at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.

A private burial will be at the NH State Veteran's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to the and Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation PO Box 30783, Tuscon, Arizona 85751-0783