George P. Forsyth

Colonel George P. Forsyth, a long-time Boulder resident, died at age 97 on September 20th after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. George was the youngest of ten children born to Sam and Kitty (Dolan) Forsyth. Sam Forsyth brought his family to Boulder from Iowa in 1918 and operated the Forsyth Dairy from 1918 to 1936. George's mother died when he was seven. He always said that he and his Dad ""batched"" it after that. Growing up in depression-era Boulder formed his incredible work ethic and his strong sense of duty. He started each day at 4am – delivering milk to Boulder residents and other local dairies, attending school and then working odd jobs after school, including being an usher at the Boulder Theatre on 14th Street. He attended Sacred Heart of Boulder, Northside Junior High (now Casey Jr High) and Boulder High. George was an officer in the Air Force for 30 years. He and Katherine had 10 children (one child, Charles Lawrence) died at birth. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1971, George returned to his beloved Boulder. Evident of his boundless energy, he was founder and owner of Forsyth Realty, an active member of the Boulder County Democratic Party, an active member of the Boulder Board of Realtors, and a member of the Boulder Country Club. In 1986, George was elected Boulder County Treasurer and served two terms until 1994. Subsequent to being Treasurer, George served as community liaison for Heritage Bank. George's was a highly decorated veteran who served his country with honor and distinction. He enlisted in 1941, was awarded a war-time commission, won the Purple Heart for his injuries in World War II, and earned the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War. He served in the battlegrounds of North Africa, Italy and France, and was recalled to duty for the Korean war. An expert in supply and logistics, George was deployed all over the world to support WWII, the Korean War, the uprising in the Congo, the Vietnam War, and the nuclear weapons tests in Nevada and the South Pacific. George attained the rank of full Colonel – a significant achievement for the time. The Air Force may have taken George and his family to all parts of the world, but he always considered himself to be a true Son of Boulder, maintaining his Boulder residency throughout his military career. He spoke many times of the day he returned to Boulder from World War II. As the bus peaked the Davidson Mesa for the first view of Boulder, George asked the driver to let him off so he could savor the beautiful view as he walked to his home. A passionate, life-long fan of the Colorado Buffs, George followed the team from every duty station, had season tickets, and was a Buffs Booster. George will be remembered by his family and the many who knew him for the soft spot he always had in his heart for the underdog, for his dedication to his country, his commitment to doing the right thing, his boundless energy and his fighting spirit. George had a delightful sense of fun and mischief despite (or as a result of) the legacy of eight older brothers and sisters. Three brothers were Benedictine priests, (Father John Forsyth, O.S.B,(abbot of the Benedictine abbey in Canyon City) Father Brendan Forsyth, O.S.B.(missionary in the Bahamas) Father Charles Forsyth, O.S.B, pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas church in Boulder). Three sisters were nuns with the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Sister Mary St Ida, B.V.M.(Katharine Forsyth), Sister Mary Lamberta, B.V.M.,(Clare Forsyth) and Sister Mary Jose, B.V.M. (Nell Forsyth)). George's other siblings included his sister Josephine, married to Jean Jacobucci, and Joseph A. Forsyth, married to Theresa Boucher. In a letter to his father, after joining the military at the beginning of World War II, George jokingly wrote that he was in heaven. After years of delivering milk every morning, going to school during the day, and part-time work in the evening -- he wrote he could ""sleep in until 6 am and had three full meals per day"". George married Katherine Margaret Boucher in 1942, who at the time was a lieutenant in the Nurses Corp. They were married for 58 years until Kat's death in 2000. He is survived by nine children, twelve grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren: 1. Susan Alicia (Bill Orr) residing in Las Vegas. Susan's children are Mary Woloson, Kathy Jordan, Wes Whiteley and Bob Whiteley. Susan has nine grandchildren. 2. Kathleen Forsyth -- residing in Atlanta. 3. Dr.George Paul Forsyth, Jr. (Conner) -- residing in Augusta GA. 4. Gretchen Forsyth -- residing in Boulder. Gretchen has one daughter, Kate Paiz and four grandchildren. 5. Samuel McCullough Forsyth II -- residing in Broomfield. Sam has three children, Michaela Smith, Hailey, and Bennett and two grandchildren 6. Josi (John Zeigler), residing in Highlands Ranch, CO. Josi's children are Samantha and George. 7. Brendan Forsyth -- residing in Greeley. Brendan has two children, Brendan Scott and Kristen Hype and four grandchildren. 8. Juith Ann Forsyth -- residing in Greeley 9. Michele(Jeff Blum), residing in Honolulu George's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren wish to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation to George's daughter Josi, her husband John Ziegler and their children Samantha and George. They unselfishly cared for George during the last years of his life. Services for George will be held on Oct.3rd at 10:00 at Sacred Heart of Mary 6739 S. Boulder Rd, Boulder, CO. Please join after the service for a reception. Donations in George's memory may be made to the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at www.BVMCONG.org. 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