Bernard Carl Forsyth

Carl Forsyth, age 74 of San Antonio, Texas passed away Friday, August 8, 2003. He was a renowned roller skating coach who built or bought seven rinks in San Antonio with his wife and business partner, Velma. Five of the Forsyth's rinks remain in their partnership, four of them co-owned and operated by their four daughters all of whom are also successful coaches.

In 1970 they built the Car-Vel rink, now operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Donnie Stewart. In ensuing years they built or bought six more rinks: Northporte Rollercade, operated by their daughter, Verna Forsyth-Quaranto; Skateland East, operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Gracie and Clarence Martinez; Leon Valley Skate Center formerly Skate Ranch operated by their daughter, Koprecia Forsyth. Former owners of Skateland West;Skateland South and Shenandoah Skate Center.

In his 48- years coaching career, from 1948-1996, Mr. Forsyth developed 31 skaters who won 36 medals in national competition and fostered some of the sport's greatest athletes across the spectrum of competition categories. In 1999, Mr. Forsyth and his wife were inducted into the USA Roller Skating Hall of Fame, an honor also bestowed on their eldest daughter, Verna. Mr Forsyth also left skating legacies.

Twenty of his skaters went on to become coaches, in many instances with his help in landing their first jobs. In addition, 13 of his former students earned judges commissions. Mr. Forsyth was born in Denver, CO, where he began skating when he was seven. He turned professional 18 years later, spending his first ten years as a coach in Springfield Missouri, where the skating club there ranked in the top two in the nation for several years.

He later coached in Oklahoma City, OK, and Des Moines, IA, before moving to San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his parents Marion and Hazel Forsyth. Carl is survived by his wife of 55 years, Velma; daughters, Verna Forsyth-Quaranto, Gracie Forsyth-Martinez and husband Clarence, Robin Forsyth-Stewart and husband Donny and Koprecia Forsyth; granddaughters, Dixie Coleman, Carlett Romano and Brena Quaranto; grandsons, Byron Carl Coleman, all of San Antonio and Vincent Quaranto, of Round Rock, TX; cousin, Walldine Morrisett of Springfield, Missouri.