After a joyful and fruitful life, Richard D. Fors Jr. died peacefully at the age of 79. His greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Patricia Fors, his mother Arlene Fors, 3 sons and 2 daughters-in-law : Richard Fors III, Christopher and his wife Lynne Fors, and Andrew and his wife Carmen Fors, 14 grandchildren, 5 sisters: Sally DeFuccio, Judi Fors, Patrice Schoellhorn, Mary Beth Rosiek and Megan O’Neill and 19 nieces and nephews.
He grew up in Hamburg, NY and graduated from Cornell University in 1959.
He learned the restaurant trade in Buffalo, NY and went on to own Burger King franchises domestically and abroad.
Richard was a trustee of the John R. Oishei Foundation, which had a great impact on the Buffalo, NY community. He was Treasurer of the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Board of Trustees. He also served on the boards of Canisius College Board of Regents, Western New York Public Broadcasting Association, the Buffalo Zoological Society and Goodwill Industries. He was a long time member and past president of both the Country Club of Buffalo and The Buffalo Club.
Richard and Patricia moved to Naples in 1983. They were tireless volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County for many years. Richard served as a session member for Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church and chaired many committees. He was the first president of the Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church Endowment Trust.
Services will be held at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church on Monday December 11th at 10:30 a.m., and a Celebration of Life in Buffalo, NY will follow in the spring of 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Habitat for Humanity of Collier County will be appreciated.
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