James "Jim" William Forshey

He was born December 10, 1936, in Wheeling, West Virginia and lived in Ohio until he was 18, when he left for Washington, D.C., and a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He briefly left the Bureau to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he was a tank mechanic and held various other positions.

Following his service, Jim returned to the FBI where he remained for a celebrated 40-plus-year career. He held numerous positions during his tenure, including serving as a crypto-analyst—a role for which he received an internal commendation award— and a supervisory examiner for the Bureau’s Racketeering Records Analysis Unit, where he specialized in illegal gambling cases. At the pinnacle of his career, Jim served as an expert witness for the FBI at criminal trials, where his testimony led to the successful prosecution of many in organized crime syndicates. Upon his retirement, he was asked to contract back to train the next generation of examiners, a request he was honored to receive in support of the legacy of his career and the future of the Bureau.

Choosing to settle into true retirement, Jim and his wife Melinda decided to leave the Washington, D.C. suburb of Manassas, Virginia, for the warmer, sunnier climate of Brooksville, where he resided for the past 15 years. He was an active member of the community, serving as a parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of both the West Hernando Coin Club and Fishing Club.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen (Miller) Forshey and his brother, John "Bob" Forshey.  He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Melinda Forshey; daughters and son-in-law, Maureen Forshey of Ashburn, Virginia and Colleen and Chad Morrison of St. Michaels, Maryland; two grandchildren, Ethan James Morrison, and Everett John Morrison.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 9, 2021, with Melinda’s cousin, Reverend Edward Reiter, officiating. Graveside services with military honors will be held at a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in James W. Forshey's honor

to St. Vincent de Paul Society in Spring Hill, Florida:

 https://ssvpusa.org/donate/.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE CHAPEL

(352)796-6699

"Family Owned & Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com