Forbes A. Smith
Forbes A. Smith, age 60, of Hamden, after a long courageous battle with cancer, passed away on May 15, 2015 at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Forbes was born in New Haven on November 29, 1954, a son of the late Forbes A. Smith, Sr. and Mary Katherine Roach Smith. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Sue FitzSimons and her husband, Thomas, of Hamden and Kathleen Perrotti and her husband, Pasquale, of North Haven; brothers, Sean Smith and his wife, Lynne Krupa, of North Haven and Timothy Smith and his wife, Eileen, of Needham, MA and his nieces and nephews, Timothy Smith, Thomas FitzSimons, Colleen Smith, Christopher FitzSimons, Jamie Smith, Sarah and Tyler Smith, Jessica and Robert Smith, Ellie and Sean Perrotti. Forbes was an avid golfer from a young age and his talent earned him assistant pro jobs in California and at local area clubs following his graduation from Hamden High School. Needing to do something during golf's off-season, Forbes began bartending and so began his legendary career in the restaurant business. From his early days bartending at The Spirit Locker in Hamden to several other local establishments, to his most recent position as manager of Leon's Restaurant in North Haven, Forbes made many friends along the way. A lone Yankees fan in a family of Red Sox Nation members, he had a quick wit and loved a good prank. Forbes was a quiet man of integrity and principles who will be greatly missed. Friends and family may attend his funeral on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 9:15 AM from Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in St. Rita Church. Friends may also visit with his family at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Words of remembrance will be shared at 7 pm. Interment will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 38 Richards Ave, Norwalk, CT 06854.
Dear Forbes,
Words can not express how much I miss you! I am speechless about how you handled your illness and remained so independent. I love you with all my heart and am so proud to be your sister. Heaven is lot brighter with you there!! Love you always and forever,
Kathy
Forbes Smith – aka
Fabulous Forbio, Fabio Lanzoni and Forbsie by those who knew you, worked with you and loved you; to me you were my Pal. You were my biggest cheerleader, supporter, confidant, trust worthy, loyal and brutally honest friend for nearly thirty years. You were the first face that many of our friends and guests would see coming through our doors; you were Leon’s biggest flag waver, supporter, protector and proud mascot for every holiday.
We strategized daily during the early morning hours over a hot cup of coffee and daily paper, we shook our heads simultaneously
after some of the shindigs we organized, we often .took it on the
road. and catered events for many that to this day only you and I were privy and able to be present (remember you can’t snap pictures at all of the events that we do), we often sat back on the deck or the rooftop to watch the sun rise over multiple cocktails in snifters knotting our drink stirs and simply .shooting the shit..
Forbio, you were an extremely proud and humble man; a man of integrity, loyalty and solid principles as your foundation. You were a fighter and battled like a true champion; right to the very last day. You touched so many, but kept your circle very close. You loved your family and spoke so proud and highly of them that we actually developed a relationship with them through your stories. You are greatly missed and forever will be in my daily thoughts. Miss you Pal! God Bless you and rest in peace.
To the entire Smith Family, my deepest heartfelt condolences and sympathies during this difficult time. May you find peace in knowing how truly loved he was, how many lives he has touched and that he is now resting in peace. Forbio, until we meet again.
Forbes you will be missed! We were unaware you were ill and were so saddened by this news. Love you Forbsie
The Gorillas
Lisa n Angel
God bless you Forbes, may you rest in peace. My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Smith family for your loss. I hope you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends.
MarySue and Family
My condolences on the loss of Forbes,
May he Rest in Peace
Regards
Meg Atzbach Jenkins
Rest in Peace Forbes. You were a friend to all and a gentle soul that inspired many. Set one up for me at the eternal lounge and I will be there one day to join you.
Bob Marioni
To the Smith Family. We are so sorry for your loss. Sean and Ellie loved it when Forbes popped up to see them at karate, flag football, cheerleading and lastly soccer. It was amazing how you handled your illness, determined that you would stay independent for as long as you could. Being so close to Kathy, hearing your daily ups and downs, you handled your illness better then anyone I know. You touched so many lives over the years and didn’t realize what a fun guy you were until I watched Eddy’s tribute video to you crying because it was so touching. My heart is filled with sadness that you were taken from your family so early but you left one life to go to another to B with your mom and dad. God bless you and rest in peace.
We had many a laugh working at Reilly’s restaurant. Stop singing you would say to me, go to your end of the bar. An end of an era really you were always smiling and silly with me and everyone else. Rest in peace my friend. Say hello to all the oldtimers at the end of the bar in heaven for me. Slainte.
Dear Mary Sue,
May the good memories carry you through this sad time. My deepest condolences to you and your family as you mourn the loss of your brother.
Forbes
You are a Great Man that stood out amoung Men. With your Raising I ask you to send us Strength. It was always great to see you and work with you.
Forbes,
We are all bummed to hear the news, such a gentlemen, another loss to an era gone by. You and I go back to Riley’s. I will miss our Yankee – Red Sox rivalry. Rest in peace my friend.
Dean Digioia, Kathy, Charlene and Patty-Sullivan’s On Chapel.
Forbio- I will miss our yearly Kentucky Derby texts, our baseball rivalry banter, the random postcards I would receive throughout the years but most of all I will miss your genuine, kind heart. So long my dear friend. Love you- Melissa
Sean and Timmy,
You likely won’t remember me, but I grew up in Spring Glen and was friends with Forbes until I left the area in 1975. Thereafter I almost always saw Forbes when I was home visiting.
Forbes was a true and fiercely loyal friend. We played golf, caddied, and worked in the Pro Shop at New Haven Country Club for years. I recall my childhood very fondly, in large part because of Forbes.
I am very sorry for your and your sisters’ loss.
Jim Moher
Dear Mary Sue, Sean and Tim,
For me to lose a childhood friend like Forbes is heartbreaking. It is twice as bad to lose your brother. I will always remember the wiffleball games and football games on Hawthorne Avenue. Losing Forbes is a loss for all of us.
Rich Altieri
Dear Mary Sue, Tommy, and Family,
We were saddened to hear about your dear brother.
Sending our heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time.
With deepest condolences,
Nancy, John, Mark, Jason, his wife Lisa Ferraro
and my mom- Nancy Porto
To Forbes Family, We were so very sorry to hear about Forbes, we\’ve been following him for many years at many different bars and enjoyed every minute of it, from Tycoons to Old Blue to Leon\’s and then some, he was such a great guy with a smile on his face and a drink for everyone, so very sorry for your loss, Carol & Joel Evans
Forbes, I am so sad & shocked to hear of your passing. My condolences to the family. From the days of Tycoons, you became a great friend. R.I.P Forbes. No cherry in my Jack Daniels
Forbes, I have come to know many people over the years, but you are certainly one whom I will not forget. You are a kind and gentle soul. A very loyal friend! I know that you are in a better place, and that helps our sorrow. You shall be missed my friend.
He stepped right out of a Damon Runyon story, full of mischief and trickery. An alchemist. A loyalist. A woefully misguided Yankee partisan. A maker of friends. Shepard to a large flock willing — make that eager — to follow him wherever he presided over the taps. Toots Shor, another Bronx Bomber zealot, is already welcoming him Up There. Rest in Peace, Forbes.
I used to work with Forbes at Tycoons Bar & Restaurant years ago and he was always a nice guy and great to work with, had a great sense of humor and liked to make everyone laugh! I know he will definitely be missed by all!
Rest In Peace Forbes!
Dawn
Kathleen Flanagan
You were the best bartender I have ever known. Every one knew you and admired you tremendously. I remember you especially on our high holiday St. Patrick’sDay at Reillys on Whitney Avenue. You will be missed by all, the kindest man on the face of this earth. You have gone through quite a bit, now it is time to rest and the LORD will take good care of you.
Kathy
Our sincere, heartfelt condolences to the Smith family.
It seems like we knew Forbes forever. Over the many years,
Forbes proved to be a true, loyal friend; a humble man with a strong moral
compass; a loving, proud brother and uncle; not to mention a great travel
partner’
From the familiar spots that we all know so well around Hamden,
New Haven and North Haven where Forbes made everyone feel at home, to the Brazen Head and Donahue’s Marina Lounge in San Francisco and Bally’s in Las Vegas, Forbes made people feel welcomed and in return was welcomed.
Forbes would look forward to his trips to San Francisco to reunite with his longtime friend, Eddie K. and new ones that he made throughout
the years.
Long walks on the Golden Gate Bridge, down to the Marina and
back, not to mention Union Street!
Always smiling, always thoughtful’ except for the day he pulled up next to me with his ‘SUPER SOAKER’. He let off the hook that day, only to get me
another time.
Forbes was there when we met, dated and was kind enough to
be one of the ‘Best Bartenders’ at our wedding!
In life there are many chapters, we celebrate the happy times
with all around. Other chapters, more personal and challenging, we share with family and trusting friends, like Forbes.
We have enjoyed many, many chapters blessed with rewarding, carefree
times. However, like most, we have also encountered some of life’s challenges. Testing our ability to improvise, adapt and overcome.
It was during those times that Forbes upped the ante on his
unconditional friendship. Forbes was always willing to lend support in the form of friendship, kind gestures such as sending over homemade lentil soup from Leon’s and a FEW quiet words of inspiration, such as .Bald is Beautiful..
Those who were lucky enough to know Forbes, know that recent
times posed challenges, Forbes kept going.
There is no doubt that his desire to remain independent, combined with the
love of his family, friends and motivation of work allowed us to be blessed with his presence just a little longer.
Forbes loved many things, one of those being his quiet walks
on Whitney Avenue.
My lasting memory of Forbes will be just that, walking down Whitney
Avenue in Spring Glen on a sunny May evening as blossoms of spring swirled around him, he looked so happy.
And that is how I will remember Forbes Smith.
Rest in peace our dear friend, we take comfort in knowing
that your life was well lived and trust that you have found eternal peace.
Until we meet again,
Bobby & Maureen Brooks
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the service for Forbes. I wanted to tell his siblings what a wonderful person your brother was. He was very proud of you all. He will be missed by many.
With deepest sympathy,
Carrie Velardi