Kevin T. Forde

Dear Clare,
I met you in Dublin last year during Trailblazers. I used to be on the Trailblazers’ committee with Kevin. I loved his company. Kevin was one of the most genuine people I ever met in the industry. We would often sit together at functions and have fantastic conversations. He was such a warm, kind and inviting person. He had this ability to always ask the right questions and he was a great speaker. His absence was very noticeable this year in Quebec City. We miss our Kevin.

Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I got to know Kevin several years ago through his support of the SITE-SoCal Holiday Event and Charity Auction. He was instrumental in putting together a travel package to Switzerland that auctioned for top dollar and contributed much to the funds that we gave our three children's charities. I remember Kevin as being professional, enthusiastic, and fun to work with. We have placed a memorial tribute to Kevin on our website at www.site-socal.com. Many of us in the travel and incentive industry will miss Kevin.

As I told you in my previous email - our group of South Africa buddies will never be the same without Kevin. We are planning a celebration in his honor later in the summer. He made us better people and changed our lives forever on that trip. All our love and prayers are with you both.

Dear Clare:

I cannot tell you how sad I am...I adored Kevin. I have so many great memories of being with him at Trailblazers and going on site inspections. So many things will stick with me forever...like all of us standing on a cliff in Monaco together and drinking pink champagne and Kevin proclaiming "you know sometimes our jobs don't suck" - that kind of became our mantra because truly anytime you were with Kevin your job was a ton of fun.

Every time the phone rang, he would say "how is my little maple leaf today" and I would instantly laugh. My favourite thing about him is that when he met you for the very first time he would grip your hand so tightly and look into your eyes and you would truly believe he was thrilled to make your acquaintance. It was never an act.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being with the both of you in Ireland last year. Cindy and I were just discussing that anyone would be lucky to have a marriage and a love like yours.

The Trailblazers family is always here for you.

Michele

Hello Clare-

There are no words. You are on our minds and in our hearts.

Getting to know Kevin through Trailblazers over the last 4 years has been special to me. He was a gentle, powerful person. He was so funny (he always laughed harder at his own jokes than mine). His timing was impeccable. His kindness, willingness to lend an ear or helpful hand was gratefully taken advantage of many times. I have fabulous memories from Trailblazers in Denmark, Monaco and Dublin, that still make me laugh out loud today (many involving quotes of country songs/lyrics!).

It was so great to have you along with Kevin in Dublin. I could tell how much you loved each other. What a wonderful legacy he leaves. We will all miss him terribly, but our memories will make us smile. I wish you and your loved ones strength and love.

Warm regards,
Lisa

I am truly sorry for your loss and send my deepest sympathies to your family. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and working with Kevin through his work with the Switzerland Tourism Board. He was the most kind spirited and fun colleague always with a smile and it was a pleasure knowing him.

Dear Clare and Genevieve,
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting you, as a colleague of Kevin's I wanted to express to you what a true gentleman he was and how much we will all miss him both personally and professionally. His warmth and enthusiasm for everything he did shone through, and it was truly enjoyable to spend time with him. He always made me smile! May the joy of his memory comfort you in this difficult time.

Dear Family of Kevin,
Your Kevin was a true gentleman and a joy to know. As a colleague in the incentive travel industry and SITE, Kevin was a respected professional and true friend. He always had a kind word and the ability to make me laugh whenever our paths would cross. I hope that you receive some comfort in your grief knowing what an honorable legacy Kevin leaves for us all. May God Bless.

Dear Clare and Genevieve,
My heart was heavy when I heard of Kevin's passing. I first met Kevin on a fam trip to Switzerland and was always so glad to meet with him at various industry events or when he would come into our office to visit. We often spoke of our Boston College pride, as we were both "Screaming Eagles"! I will always fondly remember Kevin's gentle spirit and his great NE accent. Please know that your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Dear Clare and Genevieve:

I grew up with your Kevin in Oak Square. We played in the Little League together along with other friends including Hugh McCusker and Richie Tice. I remember well both his ability to hit a baseball and say something appropriately funny at any given moment.
I know he will be sorely missed, but take comfort in the many good memories you must have of him and your lives together.

Peace,
Dan Brennan

Dear Clare and Genevieve:
I am so very sorry to hear of Kevins passing. He was such a wonderful man and such a good friend to all. He brought together so many of us-- and after our trip to Africa we shared an amazing unbreakable bond. He had such a great sense of humor and such a gentle way about him, as others have said, he was always truly a gentleman. He was so proud of the two of you, and talked of you all the time, with such great love, so much that we all felt like we knew you. It is a tremendous loss -- please know that my thoughts and prayers and those of so many people are with you-- and I feel so lucky to have known him and called him my friend.

Dear Clare and Genevieve,

I was so very sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. He was a great man, well respected and loved by all.

I hope you can take some solace from the amount of lives that he touched by his presence.

Dear Clare and Genevieve,

Gale and I are so very sorry for your loss. It was a honor to know Kevin as well as you both during the time we spent together in Rochester. I remember traveling to Richmond one summer to pick up a pig for the Polly Pig Roast. Kevin, Dan, Jerry and myself in our beat up stationwagon with the hitch to pull the cooker with. After stopping for some beer we made it to Richmond. We had to put the pig in the back by laying the seats down, so Jerry layed back with the pig and we laughed all the way home. Kevin's laugh was contagious and got us all going. We loved happy hour on your porch after a days work. those were the best times we have seen in the sub. We think of you both during this very sad time and wish you well.

Dear Fordes:
I am so sorry to learn of Kevin's passing. I have known Kevin for over 12 years through business and have shared many laughs with him while traveling. He was well loved and respected in this industry and his presence will be missed.

May memories bring you comfort and peace now and in the days to come. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Clare & Genevieve,
I was so sorry to hear yesterday of Kevin's passing. My deepest condolences to you both in this time of such a great loss. I am privileged to have known Kevin as a good friend and industry colleague for so many years, and have many happy memories of spending time with him (and sometimes Clare also) at different industry events in many international and US cities. I am only sorry that the distance between California and Rhode Island prevented us from seeing more of each other on a more regular basis.
Kevin was a very special person in so many ways. His stature and reputation in our industry was always one of the highest in every regard, and everyone who came into contact with him very quickly became a friend rather than a colleague. I hope it will be of some small comfort to you both that his many travel industry colleagues and friends around the world are in mourning with you.

My sincerest condolences once again. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Dear Clare and Genevieve,

Heaven has truly gained another angel ... even though Kevin started earning those wings years ago by being a wonderful father and husband, as well as a friend to everyone who met him. One of our fondest memories: a chocolate tasting party at the Forde's in Michigan with Kevin demonstrating the “proper” way to taste chocolate!

Our deepest sympathies and prayers reach out to both of you.

Love, Jim and Sharon

Dear Clare and Genevieve,
My words cannot express the loss of a true dear friend. We shared many good and memorable times, and some not so pleasant times as well. I have lost a friend and confidant who was always there to listen. He will not be forgotten.
God Bless you both.
Denny Migletz

Dear Claire, Although I did not get to know Genieve , Kevin & I kept our 'bragging' rights over our daughters throughout our stint at SR. We started on the same day, Nov. 20th '72 & he always teased me that because he was hired in BOS & on Eastern time, he was SENIOR to me !....There were only 3 of us in that group. Kevin, Shirley & I had a lot of memories of Texas with Bruce Daigler. You are both in my prayers. Kevin was a dedicated collegue, wonderful husband & father ( as we all know ) & will be missed. Warm Regards, Milchen

Dear Clare and Genevieve,
I was so deeply sorry to hear of Kevin's passing.
I am with you both at this very sad time and truly share your feelings.
It is hard for us who remain behind without our loved ones, but beleive me, they do remain with us in our hearts and souls at all times.
Please take care of each other and promise to stay in touch

love, Jill

Dear Clare,
My thoughts are with you and Genevieve. I first met Kevin as a business person, he quickly became a true friend, one you can trust and lough with. He will be missed in Switzerland.
Sincerely,
François

I am so very sorry for your loss, and our loss. Kevin was such a blessing to us-and I shared his Irish Spirit. I will always remember him laughing and telling me about his recipe for Irish Stew. He was a gift, and a dear friend. My heart hurts for you.

Dear Genevieve and Clare,
I will never forget the daddy/daughter dances we attended year after year, and the looks on our dads faces when we came down the stairs in our cute little dresses. Kevin's smile was contageous and will always be remembered. Sincerely, Katie Starn (Commerson)

Dear Clare and Genevieve,
We are sending our love, our hugs, and our sympathy to you today.
It doesn't get any simpler- we ALL loved Kevin!
I know we talked about this, but I can't believe how sad I am that we're not there with you both today, for support and to say goodbye to our very dear friend, Kevin. I know you will surrounded by loving family and friends to help you through this time. No one I know has ever given of themselves such as you and Kevin have since I've known your family. Dan and I and our two children Corinne & Lindsay, are much the better for having you in our lives. How lucky we were to get the best next door neighbors on earth in 1984!! Which turned into a deep lasting friendship for all these years! I cannot tell you how happy I am that we were able to see you both last summer, a couple of times! We will see you soon and we will laugh and cry, remembering all those good times, one of the best; on your Kentucky Drive porch starting @5 PM when Kevin would finish up his work day and start the neighborhood cocktail hour and the kids would play and we would visit. Those are great memories!
In total sympathy and caring,
Sally & Dan Zuhlke

I was so lucky to have known Kevin, he was always made me feel like a part of the family!

All my prayers for Kevin and his wonderful family!

Much love,

Deb

Dear Clare and Genevieve,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I was always so impressed with the close bond you three shared as a family. I hope that both happy memories of Kevin and the knowledge that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many will help you through this difficult time.

Love,

Maura Trafton and Family