Joseph George Forrester

Joseph George Forrester II, age 71, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died suddenly on July 9, 2016, on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He was born on August 9, 1944 in Jamestown, New York to Joseph George and Marjorie Elnora (Tanner) Forrester. Joe grew up in New York and also spent some time in Brazil, when his father's work took the family there. When he was 14, a U.S. Navy ship came in to port in Brazil where they were staying. Joe was so impressed he decided, then and there, that was what he wanted to do. He worked hard and, by the time he finished high school, was able to earn an appointment to Annapolis. At the Naval Academy he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Science. He served on three nuclear submarines based out of the east coast of the United States, and earned the distinction of spending more than a year of his life under water. Joe was a hard worker and excelled at all he did. Following his service on the submarines, Joe became an active training planning and program officer and went on to be the Commanding Officer of the Naval Maintenance and Training Base in Orange, Texas. There he met and married a Nurse Corps Officer named Lynn Berryhill. Joe and Lynn continued their service until Joe retired from Great Lakes in Illinois in 1989. Retiring after 20 years of military service, Joe tried his hand at publishing, which led to sign manufacturing, which led to screen printing, engraving, and eventually cemetery monuments in Florida. Joe loved life and lived every day with enthusiasm. He and Lynn eventually moved to Cedarville, Michigan, near her parents, and Joe decided he wanted to become a funeral director. He studied through the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and was an apprentice in Cheboygan and Pickford. Joe was licensed as a Funeral Director in 2005 and worked at R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. He worked as needed, which allowed him time to pursue his interests in everything from high school sports to politics. He was a “super fan” and would specifically cheer on and help student athletes who did not have much family support. He attended sporting events wearing the sweatshirts of all of the local teams. He raised thousands of dollars for Cedarville, St. Ignace, Pickford, and other area schools with his sports schedules. Joe was a devout Christian and worked constantly on programs for adults as well as things like “Fire Up” for students. He belonged and participated in the Fundamental Baptist Church in Kinross, the First Union Church in Cedarville, and the Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island. Joe was the ultimate patriot. He was constantly teaching the constitution. He would listen and evaluate every point of view, but once he made up his mind about what candidate was right, he would throw himself behind them completely. Joe was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion Post #323 in Pickford. Joe and Lynn were active in the Les Cheneaux Lions Club. In 2015, Joe and Lynn created and operated the Liberty Lego Display on Mackinac Island. They used Legos to create patriotic and educational scenes that was fast becoming a must see item for the thousands of visiting tourists to the island. Joe is survived by his wife, Lynn Forrester of St. Ignace and Cedarville; father and mother-in-law, James and Madge Berryhill of Cedarville, Michigan; many nieces and nephews; brother, John Forrester of San Diego, California; sister, Joan Musgrave of San Diego; brothers-in-law, Steven (Wende) Berryhill, Paul (Kathryn) Berryhill, Jon (Katie) Berryhill, and Andrew (Melinda) Berryhill; sister-in-law, Amy (Robert) Bristol; and many nieces and nephews. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and nephew and his wife, Christian and Shayna Musgrave. Services will be held Thursday, July 14, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. Funeral Services will begin at 4:00 P.M. Pastor Jeff Meyers will be conducting the service. Also, for Joe's countless friends on Mackinac Island, there will be a memorial service at The Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island on July 20, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Fred Zobel will conduct the service Interment will be at The Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium in Annapolis, Maryland. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Joseph George Forrester

August 9, 1944 - July 9, 2016