Thomas G. Forsyth, 93 years old, passed away at his Clear Lake home on October 12, 2004.
He was born August 22, 1911 in Pacific City, WA as a beloved son of George & Josephine Lemm Forsyth. Tom attended school in Olympia through the 6th grade before dropping out to head his family after his father passed away.
Tom married Dora Swayne of Olympia in 1930 and set up household there. They celebrated the birth of their first daughter in 1936, and celebrated again in 1939 with the birth of their second. Tom moved to Anacortes in 1939 and became a stockholder as one of the original employees of Anacortes Veneer Inc. His family joined him in 1940, settling in as part of the community. Tom proudly served in the Coast Guard Reserve in WWII.
Tom joined the Masonic Lodge Anacortes United # 306 in 1948, and maintained a lifetime membership until his passing. He served as Deputy to the Grand Master from 1957 to 1959. He was proud of honorary memberships at the Mt. Newton Lodge in Samish BC as well as Burlington United #93 Sedro-Woolley.
After losing Dora to cancer, Tom found a new beginning by marrying Dorothy Barney of Anacortes in 1966. They built their retirement home in Clear Lake, moving there in 1972.
Throughout his life Tom developed a deep love of the game of cribbage and found much pleasure in photography, gardening, fishing, hunting, carpentry, cultivating fish in his private pond, and writing poetry for Pete’s sake. He was a licensed pilot, often regaling friends and family with the tale of landing his malfunctioning plane on R Ave. in Anacortes.
Tom was preceded in death by Dorothy, three brothers, one sister, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild. He is survived by his two daughters, Theresa Scrimsher and her husband Robert of Sedro-Woolley, Bertha Walker and her husband Bernie of Anacortes; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. at Burlington United Lodge #93 F&AM with a reception to follow. Arrangements under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. You are invited to share your memories of Tom by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com
