John Robert Forrest,

Virginia Beach Retired public accountant John R. Forrest Jr. died December 17 from complications following hip replacement surgery on November 29. He was born in Crisfield Maryland on June 24, 1918 with an artist’s heart. At age 4 he moved to Gwynn’s Island Virginia where he spent his boyhood hunting and fishing. To attend Maury High School he moved to Norfolk Virginia and stayed with his sister and nieces. After graduation in 1938 he returned to Gwynn’s Island and worked in the family seafood business until July 1943. Even though exempt from the draft he volunteered for service in the Army at the height of Axis power. Upon completion of the European Campaign he shipped out to the Philippines to prepare for the invasion of Japan. Under the G.I. Bill he attended William and Mary College then went to work for the Seaboard Railroad where he met his wife Dorothy Joanne Ward (deceased). They raised three children; John Robert, Lili Christine, and Andrew Michael, in Norfolk before moving to Virginia Beach in 1970. At age 72 John retired from his vocation of public accountant and finally had the time to develop his artistic talent. He joined the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild and became an avid carver of birds, also serving as treasurer from 1992 through 1996. Failing eyesight forced a reluctant end to his creative spark two years ago. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on December 22 in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 224 South Military Highway, Norfolk Virginia. Reverend John Eidam will conduct the service. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Personal condolences may be offered to the family on line at www.woodlawngroup.com