Earl Louis Forstall, Sr.

Earl Louis Forstall, Sr. entered into eternal life surrounded by his family on March 6, 2024 at 104 years young. Born in 1919, Earl was one of seven children born to Frederick K. and Lillian O. Forstall and was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He attended Fortier High School and studied at Tulane University. He left Tulane to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1942, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant during World War II. He served as a crew chief for the B-24 “Q” for Queenie which flew 47 missions without turning back due to mechanical failure. After Queenie was lost on a mission to Bremen, he serviced the B-24 Liberator, “Our Girl.” Earl was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European Theatre ribbon with battle star and the Bronze Star. After his discharge in 1945, he returned home to New Orleans and started The Ad Shop/ Forstall Typographers with his brothers, Lawrence and Warren Forstall. The business served the advertising and marketing community in New Orleans for 50 years.

In 1953, Earl married the love of his life, Elizabeth Lou Cole, and together they enjoyed 40 years of love and family life, raising seven children. They were active in St. Frances Cabrini parish and instrumental in building the church.

Earl loved to garden, raising vegetables and fruit trees. He enjoyed selling some at the green market and giving his bounty away to neighbors and friends. He began a community garden near his business in conjunction with Parkway Partners, always eager to teach those interested in gardening. He also enjoyed traveling and going out to eat with family and friends, including members of the OFC.

He was a member of the Olympians carnival organization, The Society of the War of 1812, and The Founders of New Orleans. He was also an active member of the Blinded Veterans Association and the Humana center in Metairie.

Earl was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth Cole Forstall, his parents, Frederick K. and Lillian O. Forstall and his six siblings: Frederick J., Lawrence, Warren, and Allen Forstall, and Marjorie F. Eberle and Lillian (Cookie) F. St. Martin, his son-in-law, Guy Charleville, and grandson, Timothy Mulvany. He is survived by his seven children: Elizabeth F. Mulvany (Greg), Earl Louis Forstall, Jr., Janice F. Charleville, Carol F. Perkins (Mitch), Peter P. Forstall (Cathy), Mark C. Forstall (Barb), and Kathryn F. Thoulion, and by his 11 grandchildren (Steven and Connor Mulvany, Jonathan, Andrew, Evan and Lizzie Perkins, Miles and Mia Forstall, John and Lilly Forstall, and Cecilia T. Fruge) and six great-grandchildren (Quinn, Amelia and Barrett Perkins, Evelyn Fruge, Connor (CJ) and Jack Mulvany).

A celebration of life will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 12. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Mass at 11:00. Burial at St. Louis Cemetery #2 will immediately follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Manresa House of Retreats (Convent, LA).

The family wishes to thank the Veterans Administration of New Orleans and St. Tammany Parish Hospital physicians and staff for their excellent service and caring support.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the family home after the burial.