Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Forgas Obituary
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - John A. Forgas Jr., 67, of Tallahassee, Fla. passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. He was affectionately known as "Big John" and "Papa John."
John was born on Aug. 11, 1941, in Springfield, the son of John A. Forgas Sr. and Honora Rapps Forgas. John and Helen Dower Forgas were married in 1962, and they subsequently had three children. John was later married to Vicki Bastin and then Jennifer Friesland.
John was the oldest of three children who were raised and educated in Springfield, having attended and graduated from St. Aloysius Grade School and Cathedral Boys High School. He served as the master of ceremony for his eighth-grade graduation from St. Aloysius. John was a member of the football team, glee club and other organizations while attending Cathedral and he was a member of the last class to graduate from Cathedral Boys High School in 1959.
John was initially employed by Horace Mann Education Corp. and subsequently enjoyed a long career in the food service industry as the owner of Uncle Mario's Pizza and in management for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sangamon State (now U of I at Springfield), and others.
John was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his mother, Honora Forgas of Springfield; his children, John A. (Julia) Forgas III of Tallahassee, Fla., Mark T. (Jill) Forgas Sr. of Bourbonnais and Cindy (John) Flanders of Athens; six grandchildren, Ryan Forgas, Tiffany, Mark Jr. (Angie) and Larry Forgas, and Adam and Evan Flanders; four great-grandchildren, Dylan, Colton and Eric Bettis and Luke Forgas; a sister, Carolyn Yoggerst of Springfield; a brother, Thomas Forgas of Woodbridge, Va.; his nephews, Mark Yoggerst and Dan and Steve Forgas; and his nieces, Lynn Sypniewski and Carrie Forgas.
A memorial gathering will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. The gathering will begin with a prayer service with the Rev. Mark Schulte officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5428, (800) 772-5682. www.bigbendhospice.org.
Please visit John's online life story at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Forgas
Mary (Mosley) Keen
December 22, 2008
John, Mark and Cindy,
I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I will keep you in my prayers during this time of sorrow. Your dad was always so nice to me and I enjoyed his stories. May God grant His peace to all of you.
RICH & EDWINA DOLACK
December 21, 2008
SORRY TO HEAR OF JOHN'S PASSING. BOTH OF US WENT TO ST. AL'S WITH JOHN AND RICH WAS A YEAR AHEAD OF JOHN AT CATHEDRAL.
Dan Phillips
December 18, 2008
Old CB buddies from the mid 70's in Mt. Pulaski. Bought my first old used pickup from John (Chevy Man) when he was a salesman for the Chevy dealer in Lincoln. We had a lot of good time and fun parties.
Our sympathy to the family.
Dan & Betty Phillips
Fred Mehlick, Jr. Family
December 17, 2008
We had lots of good times and memories during our youth at St. Al's and Cathedral Boys HS. Our Sympathy to the Forgas Family.
JAMES BARRETT
December 17, 2008
To the Forgas family, Carol & Tom, I wish to send my prayers for the family in this time of sorrow...John and my brothers were good friends. Carol & Tom were my age and Carol worked for my Dad at the Coffee Shop....it seems like just a couple of years ago..God Bless you all!
George Mehlick
December 17, 2008
Lot's of fond memories from St. Als and Cathedral. My condolences to the family.
Lawrence Forbes
December 17, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in John Forgas's name
Memorial Events
for John Forgas
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor John Forgas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
