Obituary of Herman Forde

Herman Edward Augustus Forde also known as Mr. Forde, H E., Uncle Herman of Dorchester MA, and Georgetown, Guyana passed away peacefully at the age of one hundred plus on Monday May 22, 2023, at the Sherrill House in Boston, Ma. He was born on January 9, 1923, in Georgetown Guyana, South America. Son of the late William Selvewright Forde and Elfreda Barrow, he attended the Moravian Primary School and then went on to the Foundry a trade school which specialized in woodwork and furniture related items. On April 9, 1955, he married Cordelia Albina Charles and from that union produced seven children. Gary, Colin, Bernard, Dawn, Viviette, Clayton, and Gem. In April 1978 Herman and several members of his family migrated to the United States of America. He worked at the Gillette Razor company for 11 years before retiring in 1989. Prior to migrating with his family to the United States of America, “ H E” as his children sometimes called him worked for Bookers Company, Transport and Harbors Department, and finally the Customs and Excise Department as the Chief Guard and Engineer on the boat, “Peggy.” This vessel carried the custom officers out in the harbor to meet and inspect the vessels arriving at the port in Georgetown. Herman’s rich experience at the Foundary resulted in his lifelong experience and love in ”fixing” and “making” things. He enjoyed using his hands to build and fix things. He was exceptionally good at woodworking and making furniture. With some exceptions all of the furniture in the home in Georgetown, Guyana were built by him. These included several “Morris Chairs” and cabinets. Although, his mode of transportation in Guyana and Boston was the bicycle or walking he knew how to drive. However, more importantly, he was an expert auto mechanic. In Georgetown, he was often seen repairing Akela (the troop leader for the local Boys Scout) car or other individuals’ automobiles. Also in Guyana, his skills at “fixing things” were often combined with his kindness towards those the neighbors or people he knew. Everyone sought his assistance to have him repair their electric iron because of his skill at fixing them. However, more importantly, they knew that it would be done at minimal no cost. Finally, most of his children’s kitchen utensils in the US includes a “roti “ pan which he made fashioned or made from metal found in Boston. He is what you would call a jack of all trades. You ask, and he was able to do or fix it for you. Herman was a member of the Scottish Flower Lodge No 12A of the Independent Order of Mechanics Friendly Society (Preston Unity Inc USA) in Guyana. He also loved the music of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Brook Benton and other musicians. His favorite quote was “It’s only a matter of time” taken from one of Nat King Cole songs. Apart from music, dancing was another of his favorite pastime. Everyone looked forward to dancing with Mr. Forde. He was the life of the party. Herman is preceded in death by his late wife Cordelia Albina Forde, brother Arnold Forde, Albert Brown, and daughter Dawn Forde. He is survived by his significant other Joyce Goodwin. He is also survived by his sisters Esme Alexander, Sheila Derrell, Brothers Chris Smith, and Frederick Darrell. Children Gary (Barbara), Colin, Bernard (Clemmy), Viviette (Whitfield), Clayton (Mary), Gem, Ingrid Clarke, and Compton Bowman (Patricia). Grand children Stanley, Alicia, Simone, Nicole, Travis, Mikhail, Sherissa, Alex, Markus, Rekiya, Justice, Tatyana and a host of other grand and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and his adopted grand and great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.