The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for... moreThe Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.
SPLC fights hate by monitoring hate groups and other extremists throughout the United States, exposing their activities to the public, the media and law enforcement. We work with educators, schools, students, and communities through our Learning for Justice initiative to reach our goal of justice for all. Our Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama to honor the martyrs of the civil rights movement and to inspire visitors to continue to march for racial equity and social justice. less
We created this memorial to celebrate the life of Alfred W. Forsyth. We know that Al touched so many lives and collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort, celebrate the incredible life he lived, and keep his memory alive for us all. Click on the heart to let us know you were here... see moreWe created this memorial to celebrate the life of Alfred W. Forsyth. We know that Al touched so many lives and collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort, celebrate the incredible life he lived, and keep his memory alive for us all. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Alfred William Forsyth, age 93, of New York City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 5th, 2021, from natural causes surrounded as he was in life by his loving wife and daughters. He is survived by his wife Libby Forsyth, daughter Cecilia Crossman, son Brian Forsyth, daughters Priscilla Forsyth and Jessica Forsyth, and grandchildren Alexas, Alexander, Alexandria, Shannon, Marva, Kamali, Andrew, Savannah, Penny, Desmond, Dexter,... see more
Alfred William Forsyth, age 93, of New York City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 5th, 2021, from natural causes surrounded as he was in life by his loving wife and daughters. He is survived by his wife Libby Forsyth, daughter Cecilia Crossman, son Brian Forsyth, daughters Priscilla Forsyth and Jessica Forsyth, and grandchildren Alexas, Alexander, Alexandria, Shannon, Marva, Kamali, Andrew, Savannah, Penny, Desmond, Dexter, and Alejandro. He was preceded in death by his beloved eldest son Adrian Otto Forsyth who passed away just two months earlier.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful memorial video. I wasn't able to attend in person last year due to a family gathering on my son’s birthday 10/24. Now that I saw the video I feel I was present at the memorial too, such a wonderful, heartwarming... moreThank you for sharing this beautiful memorial video. I wasn't able to attend in person last year due to a family gathering on my son’s birthday 10/24. Now that I saw the video I feel I was present at the memorial too, such a wonderful, heartwarming event, made me cry, smile, laugh and appreciate all over again how lucky and blessed I am, we all are, to know and love Al and his amazing family. Al has been a true friend since day one when I started my first job in NYC, 1967, at DPI. His kindness, honesty, support and wisdom helped guide me, not only back then, but for many years to come. Al is one of the finest, smartest and BEST people I’ve ever known. I’m so happy I share that feeling with so many others who feel exactly the same. Al’s gift to this world was spreading love, peace and understanding. He did it well, and there was no shortage of humor and laughter either :) Al will live on and on forever. A man like him will never be forgotten. less
I have fond memories of Al. He was a mentor to my late husband, Don Korson, who, as a business man , sought h is advice on many financial issues .
But my fondest memories of Al center around a visit he made with his wife Libby and brother-in-law... moreI have fond memories of Al. He was a mentor to my late husband, Don Korson, who, as a business man , sought h is advice on many financial issues .
But my fondest memories of Al center around a visit he made with his wife Libby and brother-in-law Cliff to me and my husband to our home in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. At the time, I was active in the Scotsvile Weavers, a local weaving school, which was then involved in putting up road signs t o the school's location. Al pitched right in and declared he would establish a post hole digging business to help out. That was so typical of his sense of humor and his generous nature.
Although Al has passed, the memory of his life=giving spirit will never die. I extend my deepest sympathy to Libby and his loving family. less
Thank you for everything Alfred. You are dearly missed by my family in Kenya and in the U.S. You live on vividly in the counsel you provided us; the joyful times you shared with us; and the healing you spoke and wrote to us while we were in our troubled... moreThank you for everything Alfred. You are dearly missed by my family in Kenya and in the U.S. You live on vividly in the counsel you provided us; the joyful times you shared with us; and the healing you spoke and wrote to us while we were in our troubled waters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cqoLR4hNholess
We put this slideshow together for Al's memorial. It’s the story of his incredibly rich life through photographs, set to the soundtrack of one of his favorite films, Cinema Paradiso, which reminded him of his childhood in Grenada where he would sneak into...
Uncle Alfred, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet you. Hearing the wonderful memories of you today warmed my heart. I wish I could rewind the hands of time so our time together could have been longer. Rest easy Uncle. We will meet again. đź’–
Uncle Alfred, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet you. Hearing the wonderful memories of you today warmed my heart. I wish I could rewind the hands of time so our time together could have been longer. Rest easy Uncle. We will meet again.
Sending all the Forsyth family all the love and warm thoughts for Al on his journey. Al was always so special and the warmth he gave off made anyone feel at ease. The wisdom and advice I received during my time on St. Mark’s I will hold with me... moreSending all the Forsyth family all the love and warm thoughts for Al on his journey. Al was always so special and the warmth he gave off made anyone feel at ease. The wisdom and advice I received during my time on St. Mark’s I will hold with me forever. Thank you Al for being a great husband Father grandfather and Role model for everyone to look up and strive to be. I’ll forever hold you in my heart. less
Uncle Alfred - Wise, generous spirit. A warm expansive presence that was always so welcoming. Brother of my mother Alina.
We first met when my mother took us to visit on the graduation of my oldest daughter Tonya in New York. His embrace of our... moreUncle Alfred - Wise, generous spirit. A warm expansive presence that was always so welcoming. Brother of my mother Alina.
We first met when my mother took us to visit on the graduation of my oldest daughter Tonya in New York. His embrace of our family continued over the years as he and his family regularly attended performances of my daughter Jeanine. We valued the connection dearly.
His wry smile conveyed a message of curiosity and of being almost unshakeable around the flirting things of life which quickly destabilize some of us. This was confirmed by his gift to me on another occasion - Plato's Republic. He engaged on wanting to know more about the region from which he came...the realities, the changes, the perceptions of current generations.
What I came to learn more of and admired, was his distinct quality of inclusiveness. I quietly witnessed his morning walk for coffee as he engaged with those in his neighborhood.
A man of distinction. A loving husband, father and grandfather and uncle to many. For me and my daughters Tonya, Karielle and Jeanine, the joy of meeting and knowing him as my mother 's brother remains firmly etched in our hearts. Fly free dear Uncle. Fly free! less
Sending you all much love today! Al was a truly special man- with a heart of gold- who made everyone who came into his house feel special and valued. I remember one of my first visits with the kids and without Harlan he took me out to breakfast- it was... moreSending you all much love today! Al was a truly special man- with a heart of gold- who made everyone who came into his house feel special and valued. I remember one of my first visits with the kids and without Harlan he took me out to breakfast- it was this thing he did, future visits sometimes it was just coffee- but he always made that time to connect-because he really wanted to spend time with you and have a real one on one check in. I feel lucky to have had those times and to have known such a great soul just a little bit. He will be greatly missed by our family ❤️ less
Al was a great influence in my life, a sage, a guru, a father figure and a philosopher. He was one of the few people who knew my father well, so when I sought advice from him, regarding family challenges, he was uniquely positioned to give advice. As the... moreAl was a great influence in my life, a sage, a guru, a father figure and a philosopher. He was one of the few people who knew my father well, so when I sought advice from him, regarding family challenges, he was uniquely positioned to give advice. As the father of daughters, he conferred advice in a loving and compassionate way that always acknowledged my feelings. Having never experienced that, I knew that Jessica and Priscilla were really lucky to have his caring guidance, regularly, in their lives. Observing their father-daughter relationship taught me that although mine was fraught, it’s a very special relationship that exists in this world, and Al cherished it. I’m so grateful the next generation of his family was able to soak in his wisdom, he must have been full of so much joy to be surrounded by them. Most of what I learned from Al was kindness, generosity and compassion. Those are good ingredients for life and it’s truly all that you need, which must have contributed to his long and fruitful life. He was both part mentor and part living example of how to exist in life, and I am full of gratitude for him. less
When we first arrived in the US, we met Al’s wonderful family. We recall getting invitations to Al and Libby’s home to celebrate traditions that we had never experienced, such as the Superbowl and the X-mas tree trimming party. On all of those... moreWhen we first arrived in the US, we met Al’s wonderful family. We recall getting invitations to Al and Libby’s home to celebrate traditions that we had never experienced, such as the Superbowl and the X-mas tree trimming party. On all of those occasions Al was always warm and welcoming with our curious expat family and graciously smiled and gave kind responses when we took turns in asking questions about those foreign traditions to us. We also would meet him walking around his neighborhood which soon became our own. It was always a pleasure to see and talk to him, even if if for short moments. His smile and easy demeanor will always be remembered. Rest in peace Al! less
It is so nice to read all these stories of how Al lived in and loved the world around him and made many friends along the way. What beautiful photos as well! I must have been about 8 years old when Priscilla introduced me to her family and, like most... moreIt is so nice to read all these stories of how Al lived in and loved the world around him and made many friends along the way. What beautiful photos as well! I must have been about 8 years old when Priscilla introduced me to her family and, like most everyone else who we hung out with, we felt welcomed and privileged to be in their home. Let's face it - it was just the coolest place to hang out as a teenager and Al & Libby allowed everyone to just be themselves. As a teenager you don't often spend much time getting to really know your friend's parents but Al's gentle presence was always felt and his warm smile always left an impression on me. I seem to recall him often sitting at the dining table reading through National Geographic (?) magazines. I absorbed a lot during those years in the Forsyth house and will never forget that special time right in the belly of NYC where it truly seemed like it was all happening, because it was. The famous place with the lion statues out the front!
My love and admiration goes out to you Priscilla and your whole family and thank you for making my life richer just by being around your loving and one-of-a-kind family. I am sure the memorial service will be overflowing with this love felt from near and far. less
I’m so grateful to have known Al. He was my teacher at F.I.T. and then later a friend in the neighborhood. And most recently a great friend helping me through a chapter in life. I feel so lucky to have had a seat at his table.
My deepest condolences, love, and prayers ❤️🙏
Al was a true role model, confidant, adviser, and great supporter. I will always carry his influence and wise words of advice with me through life.
Dearest Al -
I first met you on a visit to New York City with my brother Daniel, your future son-in-law.
As I walked into the early morning setting of you at the kitchen table in that wide open sun-lit kitchen you emanated such a friendly, welcoming... moreDearest Al -
I first met you on a visit to New York City with my brother Daniel, your future son-in-law.
As I walked into the early morning setting of you at the kitchen table in that wide open sun-lit kitchen you emanated such a friendly, welcoming aura. So soft and open. There was steaming coffee at the table for me and an open seat. A real magical atmosphere. Here I was in the lower East Village in this wonderful vintage New York City home at the table with you. You had so many magazines and newspapers out on the table and you were studiously covering them all. You had some articles cut out and ready just for me. “Hopefully these will be useful for you in your business,” you said in that deep and affable voice. We fell into easy conversation and easy laughter. You were so thoughtful and kind. I left that first meeting touched, feeling very happy for Daniel to come into such a quality family.
The next day was a nice breakfast at YOUR restaurant down the street. With just me. We talked about my business, about your career, about my family and kids. That was so nice. You made me feel like an individual amongst so many siblings, and you took the time to get to know me. You were a man of true compassion.
You lived a beautiful long life, and you left a wonderful legacy of family, of kindness to one another and a towering figure of being a caretaker for your family near and far. My love to you on your journey onwards, Al. May God bless you and keep you and may the love that you gave so freely and the love of your friends and family be a guide for you and for all of us to follow here and in the hereafter. Please give a big Al hug to Momma Mardiah and Dadda Redmond for me!
Love your friend,
Harlan less
Our hearts go out to you, the lovely Forsyth family, so sorry for your loss. Al will be missed by many. He was and is such a wonderful person, kind, intelligent, loyal and wise. I feel blessed and lucky that Al was my friend for more than 5 decades. A... moreOur hearts go out to you, the lovely Forsyth family, so sorry for your loss. Al will be missed by many. He was and is such a wonderful person, kind, intelligent, loyal and wise. I feel blessed and lucky that Al was my friend for more than 5 decades. A beautiful human being like Al will be fondly remembered and always remain very special to us all, forever. Much love, Sissi Marini and family less
Al's voice always put a smile on my face! He has undoubtedly brightened the afterlife, as he did on earth. Our love and condolences to the Forsyth family.
My memories of Al all take place in the belly of the Forsyth home, where he and Libby constantly hosted Priscilla and Jessica's friends, welcoming us as though we were family. Al showed us what a devoted father and husband looks like, and the entire... moreMy memories of Al all take place in the belly of the Forsyth home, where he and Libby constantly hosted Priscilla and Jessica's friends, welcoming us as though we were family. Al showed us what a devoted father and husband looks like, and the entire house was always warm, full of love and FUN! I am grateful to the entire family for a lifetime of friendship and love, and I am holding you all close to my heart. Al was a legend, and I will remember him with a big smile. less
Dearest Al, now you can talk further in heaven with your friend Errol Sawyer, photographer, who passed away December 24, 2020.
We are sending loving thoughts to your family from Amsterdam. You will be missed but not forgotten by Mathilde Fischer & Victor Sawyer.