Francis X. Forbes

Francis X. Forbes, of Watertown, died Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading surrounded by his loving family. He was 91.

Franny was born in Waltham on October 13, 1934, son of the late Peter A. and Elizabeth M. (Quin) Forbes. He grew up in Watertown, the oldest of 4 children. He was a graduate of St. Patrick’s High School and Newbury Junior College. Following his graduation from high school he went to work for the Boston Gas Company. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Japan.

Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to work for the Boston Gas Company as a service technician and capped off a more than forty-year career in 1996 as a dispatcher and active union member.

On September 19, 1959 he married the love of his life, Carol Anne Armstrong. It was the start of a loving 66-year marriage. They shared a beautiful, busy life together surrounded by their 7 children and spouses, 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A devoted family man, Franny was never happier than when he spent time with his cherished family and was regaled by the stories of his grandchildren.

He enjoyed vacationing in South Dennis, a good round of golf, books and music. He spent many an afternoon enjoying a good book with classical music playing in the background but on autumn Saturdays it was all about college football. A dedicated fan, especially of Notre Dame, he would settle in to watch games from noon until the last contest wrapped up on the West Coast. Sure to recap the action with his kids and grandkids who shared his passion.

In addition to his wife of more than sixty-six years, Carol A. (Armstrong) Forbes, he leaves his children, Anne Fantasia and her husband, Anthony, of Watertown, Peter Forbes and his wife, Suzanne, of Waltham, Mary Kiley and her husband, John, of Falmouth, Kathleen McNamara and her husband, James, of Clinton, John Forbes and his wife, Amy, of Clinton, Maureen Burge and her husband, Edward, of Salem, and Carol MacDonald and her husband, Hugh, of Westford; his grandchildren, Jennifer Fantasia, Anthony Fantasia, Michael Fantasia and his wife, Krista, Peter Forbes, Julia Forbes, Mary Forbes, Adrian Forbes, Colin Kiley, Brendan Kiley and his wife, Madeline, Jack Kiley, Caroline Kiley, Alexandra McNamara, Austin McNamara, Jared Forbes, Jessica Forbes, Chloe Burge, Lachlan MacDonald, Malcolm MacDonald, and Ainsley MacDonald; his great-grandchildren, Michael Fantasia, Joseph Fantasia, and Francis Kiley; his brother and sister, Kevin P. Forbes and Mary E. Forbes, both of Watertown and many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was the brother of the late Edmund J. Forbes; son-in-law of the late Charles A. and Anna P. (Laracy) Armstrong and brother-in-law to the late Angela Forbes, Claire Forbes, Sr. Charles Patricia Armstrong, DC and Charles A. Armstrong, Jr.

Franny’s legacy of love, faith, integrity, and unwavering devotion to his family will be remembered and cherished always.

Family and friends will honor and remember Franny’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 28th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick’s Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Watertown.

To watch a broadcast of Franny’s Funeral Mass please visit https://my.gather.app/remember/francis-forbes at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Franny’s memory may be made to Boston Catholic Television: https://www.catholictv.org/ or to Sawtelle Family Hospice Home in Reading: https://bilhathome.org/services/hospice-care/sawtelle-family-hospice-house