Donald L. Forster

Retired Waltham Fire Department Lieutenant Donald L. Forster, of Plymouth, formerly of Waltham, died at home on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 following a brief illness. He was 92.

Don was born in Waltham on February 19, 1930, a son of the late Thomas Leo and Mary Jane (MacInnis) Forster and was a 1948 graduate of Waltham High School. During the Korean War he served with the United States Navy aboard the carrier USS Midway.

On April 16, 1955 he married Waltham native M. Ruth McKenna at Saint Mary's Church and the couple made Waltham their lifelong home until retirement. In July of the same year Donny began a thirty-three year career as a Waltham firefighter. He was assigned as the tiller man aboard Ladder One at the Central Station and retired as a lieutenant in July, 1988 after having worked in fire prevention for several years.

Donny also worked part-time for years at the Joyce Funeral Home on Main Street where he took care of the building and was the dependable 'go-to' guy that could help in any situation.

In retirement a move to Marstons Mills afforded him the opportunity to indulge his passion for golf. He worked and played at Cummaquid Golf Course in Yarmouth Port and a few years later Don moved to Hillsboro Beach, Florida where he lived for more than twenty years. It was at Deerfield Country Club where he honed his golf skills and recorded fourteen holes in one at the club.

The husband of the late Ruth (McKenna) Forster, he leaves his children, Donald Forster of Plymouth, Sally Kelley of Plymouth, and Mark Forster (Nina) of Marlborough; his grandchildren, Michael Kelley (Meghan), R. Timothy Kelley, Mark Forster, Jr. (Lauren), and Stephen Forster; his great-grandchildren, Jade and Cameron Kelley, and Mark Forster, III and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Don was predeceased by his siblings, John Forster, Phyllis Hickey, Patricia Wallace, and Richard Forster.

Family and friends will honor and remember Don's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Wednesday, May 4th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. when his funeral service will be held. Burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Waltham Firefighters Local 866, 35 Prospect Street, Waltham, MA 02453.