Obituary of George T. Forssell

Mr. George T. Forssell, 86, of 114 Sewickley Ridge Circle, Sewickley, PA, formerly of Titusville, died Wednesday afternoon May 19, 2010 in Sewickley. He was born on July 16, 1923 in Titusville, the son of the late George Forssell, Sr. and his wife Josephine, of Pleasantville. George was a 1941 graduate of Titusville High School. He was married to Joan Wright on April 12, 1953 in San Francisco. George graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1945, and served in a number of locations in Japan as an intelligence officer in what was both the end of World War II but which also quickly became the beginning of the Cold War. He later served for two years on General Douglas MacArthur’s staff in Tokyo. Following his return from the Far East, George served for more than 20 years as a lawyer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. During that period he and Joan served in San Francisco, a couple of separate tours in Germany, and also at West Point where he was a professor in the law department. He retired from active duty in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following the army, George returned to Titusville and joined Jack, Kookogey, and Forssell as an attorney. He later headed the legal and trust departments for Pennbank and Integra Financial in Titusville. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Titusville and later a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, PA. George is survived by his wife Joan, two children, Katie Rodgers of Oklahoma City, OK, and Andy Forssell and wife Cindy of Santa Monica, CA; 4 grandchildren; and a sister, Susan Hedge and husband David of York, PA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Anita Coyne. George touched a large number of people throughout his life in the many places he and Joan lived, and was genuinely and deeply respected. There was also a much smaller group of people with whom he had disagreements and quite effectively ticked them off. He was extremely proud of both groups. Friends may attend a graveside service at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 25th at Troy Center Cemetery, Titusville, PA with Dr. Barry E. Cressman, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Forbes Hospice, 115 South Neville Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. FLOWERS