BREWER – Charley G. “Pepere” Forrest, 89, formerly of Troy, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009. His beloved youngest daughter and two youngest granddaughters were by his side. He was born March 19, 1920, in Renick, Mo., son of the late Wallace Bruce and Nell (Hutton) Forrest. Charley grew up on a farm in Moberly, Mo. When he was 17 years old, he signed up for the U.S. Navy, where he spent the next 25 years safeguarding the liberties of our country. While in the U.S. Navy, Charley served on 23 ships, but was most proud of having served on the USS Utah. He fought in the Pacific theatre during World War II and in the Korean War. After retiring from the Navy as a chief boatswain’s mate, he bought a farm in Troy. He was employed as a maintenance man at Dow Air Force Base and also cooked in the cafeteria. He was later employed with Lucas Tree Co., clearing land for the installation of power lines. He enjoyed various activities, including raising farm animals, gardening, trapping, repairing and reselling wood stoves, chopping wood and exploring his land on his favorite Cub tractor towing his buggy. Charley was a member of Troy Trotters, Dixmont American Legion Post No. 201, Troy Volunteer Firefighters, Maine State Trapper’s Association, and volunteered for Maine Fish and Game Department as a predator trapper. Charley took great pride in planting a large garden every year so that he could provide fresh vegetables for his family and friends. He also spent many hours volunteering his time on the road, chauffeuring neighbors to various activities and appointments. He was a mentor for several students from Unity College, where he taught them the art of farming the Missouri way. Charley was predeceased by his beloved wife, Pearl; his parents, Wallace Bruce and Nell Forrest; brothers, Maupin, Roger, Harry, Wallace Jr. and Crawford; and sisters, Grace Hahn and Mildred Littrell. Charley is survived by his daughters, Charlene Forrest and husband, Dorne Smith, of Newport and Pene Southerland of Brewer; two grandsons, Pete Southerland of Raymond and Kennie Thompson and wife, Debbie, of Dighton, Mass.; four granddaughters, Desiree Clark of Morales, Mexico, Donna Keenan and husband, Bill, of Sullivan, Sandie Southerland and husband, Neil, of Hampden and Sam Henke and husband, Clifford, of Erwin, N.C.; 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Charley touched many lives with his strength and perseverance and will be deeply missed by family and friends, but we take solace in knowing that he is reunited with the love of his life, his beautiful Pearl. Visiting hours will be 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, May 8, at Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, Unity, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Burial will be at Rogers Cemetery, Troy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite charity, Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850, which provides a home away from home for military families. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 107 Main St., Fairfield. Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com.
CHARLEY G. ‘PEPERE’ FORREST
