Paul Ambrose Forsthoefel

In Loving Memory of Paul Ambrose Forsthoefel June 19th, 1934 – April 25th, 2021 Paul Forsthoefel, age 86, of Carmel, Indiana, died early Sunday morning, April 25th at Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital of complications following surgery for a hip fracture. The son of the late Gregory and Ursula (Desch) Forsthoefel, Paul was born June 19th, 1934 in Springfield, Massachusetts before moving with his family to Adrian, Michigan. He graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in 1951 where he was an accomplished athlete, excelling in multiple sports with a particular love for basketball. He enlisted in the Army in 1953, serving for a time in Germany and achieving the rank of Corporal. Upon finishing his tour-of-duty, he enrolled at the University of Detroit and in 1958 earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Paul married the love of his life, Margaret (Maggie) Cote at St. Mary's Catholic Church on August 18, 1963, in Adrian, Michigan. They started their family with the birth of their first son (Eric), in 1964 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They later moved to the Chicago area where they added a second son (Matthew) in 1968 and a third son (Paul) in 1973. They moved their family to Carmel, Indiana in 1976 where they settled for good and were blessed with an abundance of friends with whom they created wonderful memories over the years. Paul took great pride in the landscaping of his yard and could often be found tending to the myrtle patch in his tree line before enjoying a well-earned martini on his back patio. Paul had a long career in the Insurance industry, working first for Foremost Insurance before starting his own agency, First Insurance Services, which he operated until his retirement. Paul and Maggie had the opportunity to travel extensively to visit family and friends throughout their life together including trips to Hilton Head and the West Coast as well as multiple trips to Europe to visit family on the ancestral family farms in Westphalia, Germany. They also travelled to Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy. Paul had a lifelong passion for classical music. Even as a teenager, as his brothers were rocking and rolling to Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis, he was waxing rhapsodic about Haydn, Rossini, Mozart and Schubert. He took every opportunity to share his passion for opera with both his children and grandchildren in his efforts to create new generations of enthusiasts. Impressively, in his 80’s he took up the piano himself with weekly lessons and diligent practice sessions. He also kept his mind sharp by studying German and penning letters-to-the-editor with constructive criticism about politics and policy. He is survived by three children, Eric (Sarah) Forsthoefel of Worthington, Ohio, Matthew Forsthoefel of Carmel, Indiana and Paul (Catherine) Forsthoefel of Carlsbad, California; one sister, Rita McLaughlin of Jackson, Michigan; two brothers, Frank (Tina) Forsthoefel of Columbia, South Carolina and Raymond (Chris) Forsthoefel of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by five amazing grandchildren who all loved their grandpa dearly; Clio Jane, Maximillian, Hannah, Quinn and Jacob. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Margaret on July 27th, 2014 as well as his parents; two brothers, Mark and Greg Forsthoefel and his sister Claire Dana. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Mt Carmel on July 30th at 10:00 a.m. with visitation scheduled one hour beforehand and a reception to follow. Instead of flowers, Paul would want you to simply express your love to those you value most.