David Forney, surrounded by love
David Forney is at rest. He went “home” surrounded by love Friday Jan. 19, 2018, while his daughter Michelle reassured him with words of comfort while holding his hand, and resting her head next to his. His cherished son and partner-in-life, wife Sandie, were just feet away.
David was born to Elizabeth and Clair Forney Nov. 12, 1939. He was raised in Altoona, Pa., by his sister Joan, and later by his stepmother, Grace Forney, along with his adored baby sister, Janice until joining the U.S. Air Force in 1957. Our David thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of post-war Germany while stationed in Bitburg. When he returned to the U.S. in 1962, he brought along uncounted reminders of those special days.
David excelled in his early work career as a window dresser, and later as the bookkeeper at a women's clothing store. Later he moved on to work for U.S. Air at the Philadelphia Airport for 32 years. After retirement he also drove for Easter Seals and Community Transit.
David was an excellent husband, dad and granddad. We have fond memories of every opening day of fishing at the Chester Creek. We don't remember ever catching anything, but we sure tried. He never missed a single game whether he was coaching or watching his kids play. He spent untold hours on the softball, lacrosse and ice hockey bleachers. All of the grandchildren that are driving today credit their skills to the golf-cart driving tutelage received from Grandpap Forney down at the beach.
David had a lifelong love of all things sweet (we continue to find treasure troves of cached goodies through the house) especially Pepsi, Tastykakes and Boston Crème donuts which interestingly are not considered suitable breakfast while in the hospital. He was particularly proud of his Bubbles IQ score, and had a great fondness for computer Solitaire. David was also an accomplished green thumb with a passion for African violets and dahlias, along with a knack for pet fish care. Most notable was Charlie, the pet store “silver dollar” that lived to the ripe old age of 14 after having nearly outgrown his 55 gallon tank and consuming uncounted boxes of Cheerios.
Besides the women in his family, he loved his other ladies too: Dolly, Reba, LeAnn, and his dog, Molly-girl. He loved horses, and in particular riding his horses Ace and Shell. He was a die-hard Penn State fan (of both football and Beaver Hall) and an avid Philadelphia sports team fan. We believe that David was busy pulling strings to get the Eagles into the Super Bowl (Thank you Dad; 'Fly Eagles Fly').
He took extreme pride in his family and especially his grandchildren. David is survived by his adoring wife Sandie (married 34 years); sister Janice and her husband Ed Hoover; sister Joan (husband David Briggs); son Brain Forney (wife Stephanie); daughter Michelle Tesche (husband Patrick); and stepdaughters Lory Hawk Meek and Tara Rihn (husband Ed); grandchildren Becca, Jessie, Cindy, Gabi, Zack, Jack, Aiden, Regan, Nate, Bella, Tagan, Hazel, Snowden and Kiran; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Jayden and Skyler. He was predeceased by his father Clair Forney; mother Elizabeth; his stepmother Grace Forney; and stepson Eddie Meek.
Although he leaves a crushing gap in our lives, we are comforted in the knowledge that David was greeted by the welcoming arms of other family members, and most especially his stepmother Gracie. David had an abiding faith. We are certain he was headed in the right direction. As we had a sign in the fighter jet fly by as his body left his house in Long Neck for the last time. Please keep him close in heart, mind and spirit as we do.
Visitation with the family will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. directly followed by a service Saturday, Jan. 27, at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home in Ridley Park, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Delaware Hospice to whom we are extremely grateful for the kindness and care they provided and without whom his wish to go home would not have been possible.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
