RAYMOND PAUL FORSTER Jr.

Raymond Paul Forster Jr. A lifetime resident of Marin died April 13, 2010 from complications associated with Parkinson's disease. Ray was born July 5, 1932 at Cottage Hospital in San Rafael to Raymond and Gertrude Forster. He was raised in Fairfax on Bothin Rd. with his two brothers Jack and Tom. He attended Fairfax Grammar School and graduated from Tamalpais High School. After enlisting in the Navy he married Suzanne Spencer Norberg and together they raised their three children, Roy, Linaya and Julie in Fairfax and Woodacre. They celebrated 52 years of marriage before Suzanne's death in 2005. In 1962 he started Ray Forster Landscape which eventually became Forster Pump and Engineering in San Rafael. He loved hard work, interacting with his customers and facing challenging construction projects. He was proud of his work at the Marin Art and Garden Center, including the serpentine brick wall that surrounds the property. He had a love for West Marin, especially Tomales Bay, and spent as much time as possible near or on the water. In his late teens he built a wooden speed boat that he used on the bay and later graduated to a Boston Whaler after sinking an aluminum boat in rough water. He backpacked through the Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains and the Sierras with his children and numerous friends. He enjoyed flying gliders, photography, traveling and helping others. He was known for his generosity with both his time and resources. He took special delight in teaching others the truths of the Bible he had learned as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He served as a minister for over 50 years and enjoyed being involved as a volunteer in the construction of numerous Kingdom Halls throughout the Bay Area including Fairfax. He is survived by his wife Marjah who was a devoted and loving companion and caregiver, his three children, Roy (Renee), Linaya, Julie (Bob Lerios), grandchildren Alexis Forster, Lauren and Jordana Lerios, his two brothers Jack and Tom Forster and their families. The family wishes to express their thanks to his kind caregivers Karin Herbster, Alan Birnschein and Hospice By The Bay. A memorial will be held on May 1st, 2010 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2600 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax at 5:00 PM. (The photograph at the top is of Ray in 1963 planting trees in Pt. Reyes)