John A. Forgas Jr.

John A. Forgas Jr., 67, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on December 11, 2008. He was affectionately known as "Big John" and "Papa John". John was born on August 11, 1941 in Springfield, IL the son of John A. Forgas Sr., and Honora Rapps Forgas. John and Helen Dower Forgas were married in 1962 and they subsequently had three children. John was later married to Vicki Bastin and then Jennifer Friesland. John was the oldest of three children whom was raised and educated in Springfield, having attended and graduated from St. Aloysius Grade School and Cathedral Boys High School. He served as the Master of Ceremony for his 8th grade graduation from St. Aloysius. John was a member of the football team, glee club, and other organizations while attending Cathedral and he was a member of the last class to graduate from Cathedral Boys High School in 1959. John was initially employed by Horace Mann Insurance Company and subsequently enjoyed a long career in the food service industry as the owner of Uncle Mario's Pizza and in management for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sangamon State (now U of I Springfield), and others. John was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother Honora Forgas of Springfield; his children, John A. (Julia) Forgas III of Tallahassee, FL, Mark T. (Jill) Forgas Sr. of Bourbonnais, and Cindy (John) Flanders of Athens; six grandchildren, Ryan Forgas, Tiffany, Mark Jr. (Angie), and Larry Forgas, and Adam and Evan Flanders; four great-grandchildren, Dylan, Colton, and Eric Bettis, and Luke Forgas; a sister Carolyn Yoggerst of Springfield; a brother Thomas Forgas of Woodbridge, VA; his nephews, Mark Yoggerst, and Dan and Steve Forgas; and his nieces Lynn Sypniewski, and Carrie Forgas. A memorial gathering will be from 10:30 am 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The gathering will begin with a prayer service with Rev. Mark Schulte officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5428, 1-800-772-5682. www.bigbendhospice.org.