Forrest M. Chaffee

He was preceded in death by his father Forrest C. Chaffee, his mother Aslaug Loren Chaffee, and his sister Kimberly Congdon. He and his family were proud of their Norwegian heritage and enjoyed celebrating their ancestry.

Forrest loved swimming, learning from his father, who grew up in Daytona Beach. Forrest swam in competitions until college. He attended Western Michigan University, earning an undergraduate and master’s degree. Realizing his love for teaching he attended Stetson University in Deland, FL, as well as Eastern Michigan University. He worked on finishing a degree in special education at Madonna College in Michigan.

Music was part of his soul. He sang his first solo at school in second grade. His high school choir director, Jerry Smith, encouraged many of his students to join the choir at Ward Presbyterian church in Livonia, MI. Forrest was also selected to be in the elite concert choir in school.

Forrest loved the Lord and always had a hymn tune in his head. During the 1980s, Forrest sang on the New Smyrna radio station WSBB. He was on the “Look Up” program for people not able to get to church that morning. He also enjoyed singing in a single’s ensemble organized through Ward Presbyterian Church.

During his later years, Forrest joined the Heaven Connection choir of seniors. Their focus was to sing at nursing homes.

Forrest met his wife, Pam, at the Single Point Ministries. They were married December 28, 1988, and have celebrated 35 anniversaries.

As a young adult, Forrest worked in sales. One of his jobs was selling fish for Lombardi Seafood to restaurants on the coast of Volusia County, FL.

Forrest enjoyed family and took several trips to Disney with his sister and nieces, Kelly Vandeginste and Dana Minton. He frequently visited New Smyrna Beach at the family house on school breaks and then after retirement.

One special trip Forrest and Pam took was to Europe in 2002. His nice Kelly accompanied them on a tour through six countries.

Forrest was a lover of dogs. He enjoyed owning wheaten terriers.

His birthday was on St. Patrick’s Day, so it was always a celebration. No wonder his favorite color was green.

With fond memories of his paternal grandfathers’ orange trees, Forrest purchased several citrus trees for the house in New Smyrna Beach. He also loved the banana trees, the hibiscus, bird-of-paradise, palms, cacti, and really anything green.

When in Florida, he could drive five miles and enjoy Canaveral National Seashore to see undisturbed nature and an occasional land turtle crossing the road.

Another interest Forrest had was history. He was a member of the Questers History Club in Michigan and in New Smyrna. Seeking, finding, teaching, and restoring are the focus of this international organization.

Forrest was a gentle, loving soul. He was kind, generous, and always had a smile on his face.

A brief visitation for Forrest will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Harry J. Will Funeral Homes, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Forrest will be laid to rest at Glen Eden Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association and/or Gift of Life Michigan in Forrest's memory.