Rush Mcgrew Forquer, Jr.

Rush McGrew Forquer Jr. died peacefully on Friday March 1, 2019 at the age of 94, at the home of his son David in Atlanta. Rush was born on March 13, 1924 in Rochester, New York, the son of Rose Marie (Rhoda) Driscoll Forquer and Rush McGrew Forquer. A graduate of Brighton High School in Rochester, Rush, like many of his generation, postponed his education to serve his country.
Rush served in the US Army during World War II, where he participated in the Battle of the Philippines, earning four service medals. When interviewed late in life by a historian to give advice to younger generations of Americans about war he said, in his understated manner, “I’d avoid it.”
Post-war, Dad earned a degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a Juris Doctor from New York University Law School. Rush enjoyed a successful 30 year career in accounting and finance at Abex, Inc., and in retirement practiced accounting as a CPA for another two decades.
He married Elizabeth (Betty) Joan Foscue on October 15, 1949, and they were devoted partners until her death in 2009. They resided in Port Washington, New York most of their adult lives and raised three children, James, David and Ellyn. They shared with their family their love for both land and water. In a series of boats all named Skimmer, Rush and Betty cultivated their lifelong passion for life on the water, and our family cruised to ports up and down Long Island Sound and beyond.
Dad was an active community citizen, having served as a commander of the Little Neck Bay Power Squadron, as a Lions Club member, and in the Presbytery of Long Island. Later in life they lived in Southold, New York, and traveled across the country in their Airstream with their beloved West Highland Terrier Scotty, visiting 44 of the lower 48 states, and Alaska.
Dad was a committed son, husband, father and friend. He loved nothing more than time with his family. He hosted decades of family reunions on the East End of Long Island, and served as a ‘hub’ for our extended family. A man of many personal and professional accomplishments, his greatest legacy is his countless expressions of love and kindness to family, friends and all who crossed his path. Dad is survived by his son David Rush Forquer (Martha Clinkscales), daughter Ellyn Heather Forquer (David Hedrick), daughters-in-law Barbara Croft and Gwen Scott Forquer, grandchildren Caroline Forquer Bozarth (Alex Bozarth), Thomas Forquer, Andy Forquer, Heather Forquer, Patrick Forquer (Danielle Cohen Forquer), Rush O. Forquer, and Morgan Hedrick; and great grandson Jackson Rush Forquer, as well as step-grandchildren Sam Artopoeus and Eugenie Hale. He dearly loved his nieces and nephews, Frank Worner, Cindy Worner Edsall, Daniel Russell, Doug Serra, Alan Beard, Peter Beard, and Mary Ann Beard. He was especially attached to his cousin by marriage, Tommie Arnold. Rush was predeceased by his wife Betty, his oldest son James, and his three sisters Rita Elizabeth Serra, Rosemary Forquer Russell, and Virginia Forquer Worner. The family is grateful for the devotion of caregivers Geralyn Joseph and Esther Michelle Donnor, in Atlanta, as well as Marie Winiarz, Amy Alessi, and Madeline Pietsch Menzer in Southold.
A graveside service will be held at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington, New York, Friday, April 12, 11:00 a.m. A luncheon at the Port Washington Yacht Club will follow. A celebration of dad’s life will occur at Decatur Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, April 27, 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be sent to Katinka House, 750 Pacific Street, Mattituck, New York 11952. Correspondence may be sent care of David Forquer, 1021 Springdale Rd, NE Atlanta Georgia 30306.
Funeral Arrangements: A.S. Turner & Sons, Atlanta; DeFriest-Grattan, Mattituck.