Fernando P Forest

Lt. Col. Fernando P. Forest, USAF, Ret., 90, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on January 31, 1935 to Fernando Joseph Forest, and Ida (St.Sauveur) Forest. He graduated from Belchertown High School in 1952 where he played accordian in a band, and had already developed his love of all things aviation. Fernando married Elizabeth A. Forest on January 19,1957. Their 67 year marriage would welcome 4 children, all who shared his love of aviation, travel, and music.

After graduation, he briefly studied drafting before joining the United States Air Force in 1953 serving in the motor pool. Already a licensed pilot since the age of 17, he applied for flight school in 1955 and was accepted to Pilot Training at Williams AFB and Luke AFB in Arizona. He received his pilot wings in January of 1956 and was assigned to the 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Air National Guard.

During his military career, he flew over 2500 hours in aircraft including the B-25, C-47, T-33, F-94, F-86H, F-84F, and F-100D. He was deployed on active duty with the United States Air Force to Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base in France from 1961to1962. He also was deployed to Wheelus Air Base in Lybia for gunnery training. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1974 after 21 years of service.

In 1967 Fernando began a commercial airline career with Northeast Airlines. He was with Northeast until their merger with Delta Airlines in 1972. In 1973 the family made the move from Connecticut to Plantation, Florida. Fernando retired from Delta Airlines in 1995 after a 28 year career in commercial aviation. Fernando loved to share his joy of flying, taking friends and family into the sky for an aerobatic ride in his Albee biplane. He was a founding member of the Flying Educators Club, serving in many capacities and keeping their planes fit to fly throughout the decades. He made many friends at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport always happy to lend a hand and to share his aviation knowledge.

Fernando is predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Elizabeth A. Forest; a son , Jonathan David Forest; his brother, Normand Forest; and his parents Fernando Joseph Forest and Ida Forest.

Fernando is survived by his children, Francis Forest (Catherine) of DeLand, Florida; Elizabeth A. Forest of Montrose, Colorado; and Kenneth Forest of Plantation, Florida. He is also survived by his sister Georgette English; brother Robert Forest and sister in law Dea Forest; and sister in law Mary Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be Friday, April 4, 2025 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 2401 Southwest 64th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317.

1:00 Visitation 2:00 Service 3:00 Committal Reception to follow

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National WWII Museum (Support .nationalww2museum.org) or the EAA Foundation (eaa.org).