Norman L. Forsythe

Norman Lloyd Forsythe (July 23, 1950-September 25, 2025) passed away at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, Providence, Rhode Island after a short illness. He was the son of Sidney A. Forsythe and Amelia Joyce Forsythe. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He completed high school at Norton High School, graduating in 1967. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Bruce D. Forsythe, and his sister Marilyn D. Todesco.

An intensely private and quiet person, Norman filled his life with chess, listening to a wide variety of music, studying film, and supporting an array of favorite charities. His prowess in chess was extraordinary, leading him to participate in competitive chess tournaments and place on ranked lists of competitive players for many years. He believed that playing chess exercised the region of the brain that organizes thought, and he supported taking chess into the schools and getting at risk youth involved in the game. He was a genuine music lover, with a favorites list ranging from Haydn, Beethoven, and the great 19th-century romantic composers to the recordings of Judy Collins, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, and Ravi Shankar. He was deeply concerned about current events, as shown in the causes he followed. He generously supported UNICEF, Oxfam American, and several Jewish organizations.

To many, Norman was a familiar fixture in the community. However, he was shy and rarely spoke about his inner feelings or his interests. Those who got to know him well discovered him to be a thoughtful, compassionate man. He lived a simple life by choice, helped others as much as possible, and fought his battle with acute leukemia with grace and courage. He will be greatly missed by all those who entered his circle of friends.

A memorial service will be held at Trinitarian Congregational Church in Norton, Massachusetts, on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or cards, please donate to one of Norman's charities, such as UNICEF (unicefusa.org), Oxfam America (oxfamamerica.org), the Chess Hall of Fame (worldchesshof.org), or to a favorite cause of your own.

Burial will be private at the Timothy Plains Cemetery in Norton.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.

For additional information or to send a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com. 508-695-0200.