Martin J. Forhan

WORCESTER - Martin J. Forhan, Jr., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 29, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. He was 76. Born in Worcester, Martin was the son of Martin J. Forhan, Sr. and Evelyn (Smith) Forhan, the brother of Elaine Dagle, also of Worcester, and the husband of, Nancy E. (Bartholomew) Forhan. He lived in Worcester his whole life. Martin served his country in the United States Army reserve, beginning his active service at Fort Knox, KY, in 1961 and during the Berlin Crisis. He completed his service with honorable discharge in 1965. During his service, he played on the Army Golf Team. He was a 1958 graduate of North High School, Worcester and received his Masters of Special Education from Worcester State College in 1965. He worked for the Worcester Public Schools as a Special Education teacher and Work Experience Coordinator for 25 years, and with the Northern Rhode Island Collaborative, teaching Behavior Disorder students for 13 years before retiring in 2006. An outstanding golfer for most of his life, Marty competed as one of the top golfers in many local amateur tournaments through the years, and was instrumental in coordinating and instructing young golfers in the Johnny Miller Golf Academy in Scotland and in the United States. His fine-tuned golf swing awarded him 3 holes in one! In addition to his love for golf, he was an avid sports fan and enthusiastically rooted for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Marty most loved spending time with his wife and family. He married his High School sweetheart in 1964, and began what would be a legacy of rich traditions, strong family values and love. Their home has been the hub for countless holiday gatherings and celebrations as well as the annual “Bart Open” golf tournament for many years. Marty loved spending time with all of his Bartholomew brothers and cherished his time spent at his home away from home, Cape Cod, with Dick and Jean and the many friends they made over the years. Wherever he was, Marty was a source of inspiration and encouragement for others. Marty will be remembered for his great hugs, wide grin, gentle and generous nature, and quick wit. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Marty leaves behind his beloved wife of 52 years, Nancy E. (Bartholomew) Forhan, of Worcester; his five children: Daniel P. Forhan and his wife, Alexia (Evangelou) Forhan, Shrewsbury; Erin E. (Forhan) Litchfield and her husband, Martin P. Litchfield, Jefferson; Colleen A. Forhan, Worcester; Christopher B. Forhan and his wife Abigail (Green) Forhan, Baltimore, MD; and Martin T. Forhan and his wife Hayley (DeMauro) Forhan, Mansfield; 10 grandchildren: Nicolette, Joanna, and Hailey Forhan, Shrewsbury; Matthew Litchfield and his wife Rebecca (Johnson) Litchfield, Dartmouth; Hannah and Carly Litchfield, Jefferson, ; Miles and Riley Forhan, Baltimore, MD; and Avery Urciuoli and Ellie Forhan, Mansfield; and two great grandchildren: Noah and Sophia Litchfield, Dartmouth. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Martin’s family from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 3, at St. George, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marty's memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Sarcoma Research, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. To share a memory or offer an on line condolence, please "sign the guestbook" on this page.