Obituary of Tony Gawen Forster

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Tony Gawen Forster on Sunday, May 10th, 2009. Tony was born on November 12, 1946 in Winton, England and he was so proud of being a Freeman of Alnwick. He interned as a dental technician at the University of Manchester Dental Hospital, then immigrated to Calgary in 1970 and became a denturist in 1985. Tony lived an adventure filled life with a passion for the outdoors, expeditions, and teeth. He had a giving spirit, volunteered as Santa for the Magic of Christmas, and fed the hungry through programs at The Mustard Seed and Sacred Heart Church. He loved ballroom dancing and community theatre and appeared in Cinderella, PuppyTime Theatre, The Boyfriend, and Pal Joey. He embraced outdoor activities including skiing, hiking, ice climbing, snow shoeing, winter and summer camping, golfing, canoeing, traveling, and cycling. He was an active member of The Rocky Mountain Ramblers, Calgary ski Club, Toastmasters, Elbow Valley Cycle Club, St. John The Evangelist Parish, and Knights of Columbus. He supported Alberta Ballet and Vertigo Murder Mystery Theatre, and was a major sponsor of Kids Cancer Care Foundation’s Golf A Kid To Camp for several years. Tony was on the executive of the Denturist Association of Alberta and prior to that the Denturist Society of Alberta. He was a recognized expert in the history of denturism and presented at world symposia. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, daughter Cheri, six grandchildren, brothers Alan (Dorothy) and Bill (Eileen), many nieces and nephews, and many friends whose lives he touched. He was predeceased by his mother Florence, father William, and brother Ian. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (1305 Main Street, Airdrie, AB) on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta or Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. In living memory of Tony Forster, a tree will be planted at Fletcher Park, Airdrie by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.