FORBES, Nicholas R. of Jamaica Plain passed away peacefully with his family by his side on February 23, 2026. Beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Flanagan) Forbes, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage, and loving father to their son Ross of Jamaica Plain. Dear brother of Margaret Teed of Arlington, Virginia; John Forbes of Beverly, Massachusetts; David Forbes of Woburn, Massachusetts; and the late Christopher Forbes. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1947, Nick graduated from Merrimack College with a degree in civil engineering. He went on to a long and accomplished career with the US Army Corp of Engineers. During his 34 years with the Corps, he traveled across the country to address wide ranging natural disasters, from earthquakes to hurricanes. He also brought his formidable analytical abilities to safety compliance, enforcement, and oversight. He made the world a safer place, in typical understated fashion.
Kate and Nick made their home in Jamaica Plain, but they often took to the road, the air and the water for trips to destinations like Cape Cod, California, Washington, Ireland, China, and the rivers of Europe.
Among his many interests, Nick played the saxophone and developed a lifelong love for the great American songbook and musical theater. He was also a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and possessed a deep knowledge of their history and of the game itself.
Nick will be remembered by his family and friends for his keen intellect, unpretentious manner, and trademark dry humor.
Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, WEST ROXBURY on Thursday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 10:00 a.m.Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Assoc. www.apdaparkinson.org. For guestbook gormleyfuneral.com.