John is survived by Spouse Lenora Forbes (Widow) Mary Forbes (1st Wife) Children: Wanda Brendenbeck, Jacqueline Barnes, Dawn Volkmer John Forbes jr. Grandchildren: Jessica Harris, Jocelyn Brabham, Ernst Fortune, Angela Barnes, Toni Barnes, John Forbes 3rd, Desiree Forbes, Joshua Brendenbeck, Nicholas Barnes, Michael Volkmer, Tiffney Forbes, Destiny Forbes, Miah Forbes and Scott Volkmer. Great-Grandchildren: Alexis Fortune, Giselle Fortune, Sebastian Brendenbeck and Davion Forbes. Preceded in death by: His 2nd Wife Jennifer Forbes, his sister Helen Wallace and his parents Arthur and Beatrice Forbes.
John Forbes was born on December 14, 1934 in Goshen NY to Arthur and Beatrice Forbes.
Following his career as a United States Naval Reserves Officer, John started his illustrious career as a New York State Trooper by shattering racial bounds and becoming the very first black New York State Trooper, as well as a proud member of The Washingtonville Police Department. John was a prominent member of the Orange County Community involved in Organizations such as, Fish, Knights of Columbus, Hub Housing, and Holding the office of Elder at Bethany Presbyterian. John often spent countless days at the Farmers Museum and at car shows where he meant countless likeminded friends, or dancing and singing some silly song making those around him laugh. You could always find John wearing a pair of cowboy boots, a Gigantic belt buckle, a cowboy hat and chewing on a piece of grass (even in the middle of winter). Some of John’s greatest moments were the ones he spent with his grandson Scott Volkmer. You would often see them both sitting together in a far off corner laughing at their inside jokes, as if they were both reading some secret book that only the two of them knew about. So if you are ever looking for a smile and something to remember John by look at his grandson who has become a shining example of John’s Legacy.
A wake is scheduled for Friday March 2nd 2018 between the hours of 5:00pm- 9:00pm At David T. Fergusons Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville. A Mass will be on Saturday March 3rd, 2018 beginning at 11:30 am at St. Mary’s church, 42 Goshen Avenue, Washingtonville, NY.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate John's life. In lieu of Flowers, please make a donation to Bethany Presbyterian Church in Washingtonville, New York.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
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