Ralph L. Forbes

Old Lyme - Ralph L. Forbes, 74, of Enfield passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs.

He was the beloved husband of Anna (Roche) Forbes for 36 years.

Ralph was born on Aug. 11, 1931, in Hartford, and was the son of the late Leo and Dorothy (Revett) Forbes. He grew up in West Hartford and, as he often said, was a graduate of the "college of hard knocks," - what he didn't learn in books he learned defending his country, being a West Hartford firefighter and working for years as a truck driver.

Ralph was a proud member of the U.S. Army's 1st Calvary Division, serving in the Korean War.

He resided in West Hartford for many years, later moving Enfield and then Old Lyme. Ralph lived in Old Lyme for 25 years, where he and Anna built a beautiful home near Roger's Lake, spent time with friends, opened their home to sailors in need and enjoyed many laughs. Ralph moved back to Enfield eight years ago. Though retired, he liked to stay busy and began working part-time as the "senior vice president of transportation," for Enfield Federal Savings Bank. Ralph will always be remembered as happy-go-lucky, loving a good joke and, above all, a friend to all he met.

He was lifetime member of the Tanguay Magill Post 80 American Legion in Enfield and the Smalley Bros. Post 6123 V.F.W. in Windsor Locks. Ralph was a member of the Connecticut Chapter of the 1st Calvary Division and an honorary member of the Florida Chapter of the 1st Calvary Division. He enthusiastically attended every 1st Calvary reunion that came around, including the Camp Stewart reunions with army buddies and their wives and families. On one occasion, he reunited with 1st Calvary friends and rode a horse through Montana for several days as they retraced Custer's Last Stand.

Besides his wife, Anna, he is survived by his daughters, Penelope and Elizabeth; his son, David Forbes and wife, Donna, and their daughter, Ariana, of West Hartford. He will be greatly missed by his brother, Raymond Forbes and wife, Jennie, of Hartford; his niece, Linda Turkington and her husband, Bob; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Forbes; his nephew Kevin Forbes and wife, Gloria; his nephew, Paul Forbes and wife, Carissa; his brother, Kenneth Forbes and Lucille; Georgette Hage, who was like a daughter to him, and her daughters Sami, Kris, and Dani; his mother-in law, Flora Ethel Brown; his sister-in-law Nancy Leighton; his sister-in-law, Gloria Mattarelli and husband, Chetty; his nephew, Jerry Leighton and wife, Janet; his niece, Donna Harnedy and husband, Brian, and their children Kristin, Brian and Ashlee; his niece, Lisa Leighton and her daughters, Zandra and Trisha Bogar; his cousins, Walter, Mary and Kevin Smith; Ray and Rebecca Grogan and family; Keith Lee; and his countless number of friends with whom he has shared a laugh, a drink and many memories.

Ralph was predeceased by his sister, Carol Voto; his brothers, Donald and Wayne; his father-in-law, Walter Brown, and brother-in-law Gerald Leighton.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield, followed by military honors. Burial will be at the family's convenience at the Connecticut Veterans' Cemetery in Middletown. Ralph's family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 US Highway 1, N. Brunswick, NJ 08902-4301 or individuals' charities of choice.

For memorial tributes, guestbook and directions: www.brownefuneralhome.com.