James S. Forrest

James S. Forrest (Jim) of Boonton Township, NJ, went to be with his Savior Jesus on October 17, 2024. He was born on February 10, 1958, in Milwaukee, WI, to Lois (Van Hassel) and James Forrest. He was the oldest of four children. His family moved to NJ when he was around 4. They eventually settled in Pequannock, where Jim enjoyed playing basketball on his high school team. He earned a four-year degree, working and saving to pay for his college expenses. He graduated from Fordham University in the Bronx with a BS in business management and marketing.
In 1996, Jim married Lisa. They were married for over 28 years, and together, they raised four children: Kyly, Michael, Tristan, and Christopher.
Jim had many interests growing up in a more rural setting in Pequannock. His father worked in a family-owned business, Forrest Manufacturing, and provided extra income for the family by farming. Jim developed an interest in gardening because of this. His current garden had strawberries and a variety of vegetables in it. Growing up, Jim started a beehive on his family's property and enjoyed the art of beekeeping for a season of time. Jim decided a few years ago that he wanted to tap two maple trees on his property. This produced delicious maple syrup. Growing up, there were many orchards and fresh fruit to pick in his neighborhood, and after he was married and had children, he took his family to orchards and fruit farms to pick fresh fruit. When he lived independently, he decided he wanted to develop the art of cooking good meals. He turned out to be an excellent cook. He found time to please his family and friends with his delicious meals. As a teenager, Jim took up tennis for the first time. That sport became one of his passions throughout his life. He also joined a town baseball team as a young adult. Skiing was another enjoyable sport, and he encouraged his wife and children to join him on the slopes. It was a fun time for all. Jim worked as an auto mechanic, which later benefited him when he joined the family business and was able to work on and repair the many machines needed to operate the business. Jim and his brother Jay continued the success of Forrest Manufacturing, and in 2021, the company celebrated its 75th anniversary. He was admired by all that he worked with. He was interested in cars, and during his younger years, he drove a 65 fastback Mustang and owned two MG Midgets. Being mechanically inclined, Jim dreamed of someday purchasing and working on a Shelby Cobra MK4 kit with his boys.
Jim volunteered at his church, helping with the young adult singles group. A few years earlier, through this ministry, this is where he met his wife, Lisa. After marrying, when his boys were young, he became part of Tree Climbers. He would take his boys there and was one of the leaders. In time, Tree Climbers became Trail Life, and Jim continued volunteering. His plan after retirement was to be more involved in ministries at The Chapel. Through The Chapel, Jim became aware of a Christian camping ministry called Northern Frontier. He took trips there, camping with his boys, learning more about the Lord, and connecting with other believers.
Jim was an excellent steward of everything the Lord had entrusted him with. He was also a hard worker. He could fix just about anything in the shop and his home. His creative woodworking on the trim of the doors and windows, interior painting, and home renovations are displayed throughout his children's rooms and in part of his home downstairs. He planned to freshen up the entire house eventually, but the Lord had other plans for him, and now he is in glory forever with his Savior Jesus.
A tribute to Jim from his wife:
Jim had a witty sense of humor and didn't take himself seriously. This was evident with all the funny face pictures I took of him and making jokes while I videotaped him. He was a gentle spirit who loved his Lord Jesus. His faith sustained him throughout his life, and the strength of the Lord helped him through it all and gave him hope. It kept him optimistic this past year in one of the darkest, most difficult, and most demanding times of his life during the aftermath of his surgery. In his darkest hour, he shined the brightest. Even before his surgery, when his health was not optimal, Jim accepted his limitations and never complained. His faith carried him through it, giving him joy, peace, and contentment. Throughout this trial, his eyes lit up every time a friend or family member came over to greet him. He loved his life and kept a positive attitude.
Sometimes, he would stomp his walking cane down when I tried to put a belt around his waist so that I could steady him. He would briefly oppose it, but he would defer and allow it. He had been so independent in the past, and it must have been strange, at times, for him to need such help. However, he accepted his condition and carried on. He lost many of his former abilities, including communicating in the usual way, yet he was eager to go to church, pray, sing songs of praise to God in his new language, and give everyone he met a joyful smile. He made every effort to communicate with others. Even in his current condition, he looked forward to being with his friends and family, taking walks to his garden, going out to dinner and the movies, going to the shore, taking trips to the park with his sister Lynn, and having Lynn take him to First Friday in Boonton. I asked him several times if he was happy; he always nodded yes. When asked whether he was sad, he shook his head no. He loved the Lord, yet he wasn't ready to meet him just yet. He wanted to be present with us so much longer. He wanted to spend more time with us and be present when his daughter married, and his children grew up, but the Lord had a different plan.
He was a bright and shining star to me, my knight in shining armor, and a godly husband and father. He inspired me because he put his faith in Jesus into action through the power of the Holy Spirit working in him.
My dearest Jim, I love you and will always love you. You will be in my heart forever, and I will miss you. I know you will be waiting for me and will greet me with the Lord when He brings me home. Then we will sing praises forever and ever to the One who gives us eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Lois Forrest, and brother, Dan Forrest. He leaves behind his loving wife, Lisa Forrest, a daughter, Kyly Power, and her fiancé Andrew Kraus; sons Michael, Tristan, and Christopher; sister, Lynn Forrest and brother Jay Forrest; his wife, Denise; their daughters, Elena and Rebecca; and numerous friends and family members. Donating to one of Jim's favorite charities or church would be appreciated instead of flowers. The Chapel, Answers in Genesis, Market Street Mission, Hutchcraft Ministries, Bethany Christian Services, Charles Stanley in Touch, Focus on the Family, and Northern Frontier.
Visitation will be held at the Par-Troy funeral home on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5pm to 8pm. 95 Parsippany Rd. Parsippany, NJ. (973)887-3235. A church service will be held at The Chapel, 264 Jacksonville Rd, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 6:00pm. Entombment. Saturday, October 26, at 11:00am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave. East Hanover, NJ 07936 (973)887-0286