Jeffrey J. Forster

Jeffrey J. Forster, age 79, of Walpole, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family.  Jeff was born in Boston on May 5, 1943 and was the son of the late William Andrew and Phyllis Mary (O'Neil) Forster.  Jeff was husband to his loving wife Judith A. Forster for 57 years and a proud father to: Susan E. Custer and husband, John, of Walnut Creek CA; Carol E. O’Shea of Millbury, MA; David W. Forster and fiancée Rebecca Caldwell of Washington, DC; Michael P. Forster and wife Leslie of Hayden, ID; Karen L. Teixeira and husband Laio of Destin, FL; Laura E. Maheshwary and husband Suneer of Chicago, IL; and Elizabeth A. Williams of Alexandria, VA.

Jeff was raised in Boston, where he graduated from Boston Latin High School in 1959.  Jeff continued his education at Boston College, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.  Upon graduation, Jeff commissioned with the United States Navy's Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island.  As an officer (LT), Jeff continued his naval training at the Defense Language Institute, becoming fluent in Chinese. Jeff’s military service included the unique honor of serving on, over, and under the South China Sea.

Jeff married Judy on June 6, 1965, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Jamaica Plain, MA.  After their wedding, Jeff and Judy were stationed tandem throughout the United States and points abroad (including Japan and the Philippines) welcoming each of their children into the world along the way. Once Jeff completed his duty with the Navy, he transitioned to service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Jeff retired from his 28+ year career in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent with the FBI in 1995 but continued his public service as a federal contractor providing investigative and analysis support to U.S. government intelligence agencies for an additional 7 years.

Jeff was an avid reader, sportsman, and proud football fan fiercely loyal to the New England Patriots. Jeff often spent his time researching and documenting the family lineage and genealogy which dates back to Ireland in the 18th century. A couple highlights from his research include that his parents met on a New York to Boston dance and cruise ferry, several of his uncles served in WWII including one uncle, Joseph, who was instrumental working in England on the Enigma Project which helped break the German code. Impressively, Jeff religiously tracked, remembered and honored all birthdays, Christmases and other special events for each of his children and grandchildren, despite the large size.

Jeff is a cherished grandfather to 14 grandchildren: Alexander Forster, Caitlin O'Shea, Megan Forster, Sabrina Forster, Liam O'Shea, Jeffrey Forster, Michael Forster, Alison Forster, Olivia Custer, Lauren Forster, Nicholas Custer, Ethan Teixeira, Nella Maheshwary, and Alysse Maheshwary. Jeff was brother to the late Marianne F. Barlow and the late Kevin O. Forster and leaves behind numerous other surviving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jeff's Life Celebration on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow at Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jeff may be made to: The Natick Walpole Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 252, Walpole, MA 02081; The Walpole Sportsman's Association, P.O. Box 91, Walpole, MA 02081; or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.