Fitzburn Ezekiel Forrest

Fitzburn Ezekiel Forrest was born in Whitehouse, the Long Hill District, in the Parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica on September 4, 1942 to the late Kathleen and Edward Forrest, the first of their thirteen children. His love of learning led him to Mico College in Kingston, where he earned his teaching certification where he earned the nickname “Forro.” While studying to become an educator, Fitzburn met the love of his life, Dawn Sellars, underneath a coconut tree on the beach. The two wed on November 19, 1966, and not long after, welcomed three daughters to the world.

Fitzburn and the family moved to Spanish Wells, Bahamas in the early 1970s. There, he and Dawn taught in Spanish Wells All Age School. To this day on the island, he is still fondly known as “Sir,” a name that demanded respect but also fondness among his many students. The family moved to Nassau, Bahamas in the late 1970s. Fitzburn went on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from the University of Miami. He taught social studies and history at AF Adderly Junior High School and was very active in the Teachers Union and civic organizations such as the Hummingbirds.

In 1981, the family moved to Irvington, NJ largely due to challenges with Dawn’s health. Mr. Forrest taught at various schools in New Jersey before retiring as Dean of Discipline of Passaic County Technical Institute in 2008. He and Dawn then moved to Palm Coast, FL to enjoy their retirement on the beach.

Fitzburn was the consummate entertainer. He loved to party with friends and had a big, contagious laugh that could shake the room. Anyone stopping by the house on Nesbitt Terrace was guaranteed food, drink and good times. He had a passion for his rum, his reggae music, his garden and especially fishing with his buddies. Most of all, Fitzburn loved his friends and family, who will miss him immensely.

Fitzburn is pre-deceased by his wife of almost 50 years Dawn Forrest (formerly Sellars). He is survived by his daughters Lois Forrest, Cauline Emmanuel, Camille Champion and son Orville Forrest, as well as his grandchildren Amber, William Jordan, Christian, Alicia, Jade, and Athena, his sons-in-law Oscar Guevara, Anthony Emmanuel and Christopher Champion, his brother, Dennis, and a host of brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

The Strife is O’Er, the Battle Done