James J. “Jim” Forster, Sr. 82, Former Advertising Executive with The Boston Globe, T.V. Producer, World War II Veteran
Winthrop, Ma. - Former Senior Divisional Retail Advertising Manager and Boston Globe employee of forty four years, World War II Veteran, James J. Forster, Sr. of Winthrop, who in retirement became a TV Producer and the creative force behind several documentaries dealing with the history of U.S. Warfare, passed away peacefully March 14th after a lengthy illness, he was 82. Always modest, Mr. Forster was widely regarded as one of the Globe’s most popular and influential employees. Always impeccably tailored, with his gentile manner and soothing administrative style, he sometimes seemed a throwback to a by-gone era. In a career that spanned more than four decades, Mr. Forster worked his way up from copy boy to Senior Divisional Retail Advertising Manager upon his retirement in 1987. While at the Globe, Mr. Forster served as vice president of the Boston Globe Employees Association where he was deeply involved in the myriad, complex issues that employee-management relations in a company as large as the Globe present. When the Globe relocated from Washington Street to its current location on Morrissey Boulevard, Jim was chosen as Chairman of the “Farewell to Newspaper Row” Banquet at the Beacon Street Hotel in Brookline that was attended by over 500 Globe employees including publisher William O. Taylor, III. He also served as Chairman of the Boston Globe Red Cross Blood Donor Program and was an Officer of the “Quarter Century Club”. As New Hampshire’s Presidential Primary began to take on added political significance in the 1950’s, Jim was assigned to work as a pollster for the Globe in a weathervane county. It was during this assignment that Jim met with the legendary, raccoon cap wearing, United States Senator C. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee at the Eagle Hotel in Concord, N.H., a meeting Jim was especially fond of. In the Advertising Division of the Globe, in addition to his many administrative duties, Jim helped spearhead the Globe’s now established “Early Spring Promotions” to Cape Cod and New Hampshire vacation spots. Mr. Forster’s last assignment was to assist in the preparation of the newly formed “North Weekly” Regional section, which launched successfully before his retirement. In an effort to help fill his days in retirement, Jim became a TV Producer at the Winthrop Public Access Television station. He produced several popular documentaries including “Civil War Artifacts”, “Korea, The Forgotten War” , and a stirring ninety-minute documentary entitled “We Were There, World War II”. Exhaustingly researched, “We Were There” includes over two hundred period photos of World War II Veterans with close ties toWinthrop. In the piece, Jim artfully interspersed early photos of these local heroes listing their many commendations, over a period soundtrack and the voices of F.D.R., Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, General Dwight Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz. Thousands in the town and beyond watched the video. Months later NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw, who had recently written his best seller “The Greatest Generation”, sent Mr. Forster a letter thanking him for sending a copy to his office. Still airing today, the video is the most watched local TV documentary in Winthrop. In the year 2000 Jim received the top award in the special events category of the Northeast Video Conference for the piece. Mr. Forster also dabbled in politics serving as a member of the Winthrop Advisory Board and as campaign manager and advisor for several townspeople running for local office. A member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club and American Legion, Jim also taught CCD at St. John the Evangelist Church. Mr. Forster’s fascination with U.S. History was ubiquitous but his interest in modern U.S. warfare was born of personal experience. Upon graduation from East Boston High School in 1944 he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 16th Armored Division and later the 4th Armored Division. He saw action in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia during the conflict. Mr. Forster’s commendations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service to his country. Several days before the war’s end he participated in the liberation of the Czech city of Pilsen. After the war Mr. Forster joined the Air National Guard and served with the 101st Fighter Squadron on the fire rescue team stationed at what is now Logan International Airport. Mr. Forster is survived by his wife of fifty four years Miriam K. "Mim" (Kilduff), daughter Maureen and her husband Patrick O’Donnell of Ipswich, daughter Paula and her husband Frederick Bagley of Melrose, daughter Christine and her husband Christopher Berg of Winthrop and son James Jr. and his wife Diane of Winthrop. He was the loving grandfather of Kristen Macchiavelli of Georgetown, Justine Romanos of Melrose, Kathryn Schadinger of Saugus, Matthew Bagley of Cambridge and James Forster III and Julie Forster, both of Winthrop. Great grandfather to Chloe Macchiavelli, Nicholas Romanos and Dillon Schadinger. He is also survived by brothers William of N.H. and formerly of East Boston, Edward of Winthrop, Raymond of Andover and formerly of Revere, and Joseph Forster of Lynn, and by sisters Rita Kamholz of FL and formerly of East Boston, Ruth Hannigan of Milton, Mary Forster of Revere, and Eugenia Nicholson of Lynn.
Funeral from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St.WINTHROP, Ma. 02152, on Thurs, March 19 at 9am. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop at 10am. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section). In lieu of flowers donations can be made in James’ name to the American Red Cross of Mass Bay, Financial Development 139 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142. or the Developement Office at Hallmark Health- Melrose Wakefield Hospital 585 Lebanon St. Melrose, MA 02176. Visiting hours Weds., only 4-8pm. For guestbook and directions go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.