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Marcia Frye posted a condolence
Friday, March 22, 2024
I am very sad to hear about Jim’s death. My jeart goes out to his family.
He was a good friend and colleague at Cortland High. Together we launched a photography club where we taught and supported students in learning all about f-stops, aperture settings, composition, film development, and printing black and white photos. The students involved spent hours in Jim’s darkroom and became adept photographers and darkroom techs. Most photos in CHS yearbooks during that time were taken, developed, and printed under our supervision. He was unflappable and kept his classroom open and welcoming at all hours. I always look back fondly on those years.
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Mary (Stamm) Keith posted a condolence
Monday, March 4, 2024
Jim (Jimmy) was my neighbor -- we grew up on Sykes Street in Groton, N.Y. His mom and my mom were the best of friends and hung out at a big tree between our two houses and they called it the "gossip tree". Many days after school I would walk over to his house and his mom, Ruth, would invite me in. Jimmy was older so got home later than I did from school - so I would wait for him to come home. I'm sure he was never particularly happy to see this young kid waiting for him at his house but he never made me feel unwelcome. He was always so kind to me. All of us "kids" in the neighborhood would slide down the hill right next to his house and ice skate at the ice rink just a stone's throw away from our neighborhood. I will always have fond memories of Jimmy and his mom and dad.....such a wonderful family.
My deepest sympathy to you and his family - Mary (Stamm) Keith
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Karen Williams lit a candle
Monday, February 26, 2024
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I am so very sorry for the families loss. He was one of my favorite teachers. Such a loss but what a legacy he left.
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George Clancy posted a condolence
Monday, February 26, 2024
Mr. Forshee began his long teaching career when the students my age were in 10th grade. He was a BIG GUY... with an even BIGGER SMILE. He enjoyed kidding around and he liked to challenge us to be the best we could be. As a young beginning teacher & coach... He "Got it!" knowing how to effectively communicate with the students he taught and the kids that he coached. 50+ years reaching out to young people who wanted to be inspired. He was that positive inspirational guy who always... and I mean always... had a smile and something good to say. No "Do it the hard way or my way - but do it the SMART WAY! He made a difference in this world and hundreds of people remember him for his BIG HEART and for his work ethic. RIP
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Gary Podsiedlik posted a condolence
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Jim Forshee, you were one of the best! Brenda, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jim. We had so many great conversations through the years. We always enjoyed traveling back to those memories surrounding Homer and Cortland Football. Jim will be missed. He helped and impacted so many along the way. Jim will be remembered as one of the special ones in our community.
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David Bentley posted a condolence
Friday, February 23, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Jim and his video program at CHS was the beginnings of my career in TV broadcasting. Everyplace I've worked, I've spoken highly of the head start I got. I love telling the story of how he converted a handicapped school bus into a production van, where we'd go on location shooting away football games and anything else we wanted. In many ways, I learned more about working in TV from him in High School than I did in college, or anywhere else for that matter. I have Jim to thank for where I am today. I will alway be grateful and indebted to him for that. Thank you. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us.
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Lisa lit a candle
Friday, February 23, 2024
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Forshee was my mentor and reason I am in the career I am. He was the first to include me on a team by encouraging me and showing me that I mattered. I will forever grateful to him for what he saw in me. My love to his family.
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Kimberly Allen posted a condolence
Thursday, February 22, 2024
I did not have the pleasure of having Jim as a teacher but as a graduate of CHS ‘73, I heard about this exciting new venture called the Video Club. Having spent much of my career working as a Social Worker in high schools, I now know that I am quite sure the Video Club was the reason some students came to school. It offered them a place where they had a niche, could grow their talents and take pride in contributing something valuable to the school environment. I heard about Jim over the years. He was a standout. I am so very sorry for his loss to so many, way too soon. He leaves a legacy, incomparable, that will live on forever.
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Colleen Brady posted a condolence
Thursday, February 22, 2024
We don’t often choose the people in our lives who have an outsized impact. More often, they see something in us that we have yet to see in ourselves, and they find a way to inspire us to that potential. Natural born teachers, the rest of us are lucky if they find themselves in that role, Mr. Forshee was just such a person; a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a family man and a friend. It is a testament to his vision, his heart and his belief in what people can be that he touched so many lives. We are thankful for his impact in our own lives, and for the ripple that sets forth as we remember to live his example. To his family, we are with you in this tremendous loss. May he rest in peace.
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Steven Hulslander posted a condolence
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Thoughts and prayers to Brenda and family. Sincerely, Rose and Steven Hulslander
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Tim Dillingham posted a condolence
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Sincere condolences to Jim's family and loved ones. Mr. Forshee was a great human, coach, mentor and friend. He was always very supportive of my creative endeavors and just one of those teachers you felt was a steadfast ally to the students.
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Mary Lou Bordwell posted a condolence
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Many, many years ago, Glen Spiegel, Jim and I chaperoned a student trip to an amusement park. Jim was a big man as was Glen. So dumb me agreed to go on a water ride with them. I was in the middle, one in front, one in back.. We went down the slide and hit the bottom of the ride. The water went up like a fountain. Needless to say we were all soaked. Yes we did all laugh.
What a memory. Mary Lou Bordwell
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Le Moyne College posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Please accept the most heartfelt sympathies of Le Moyne College. We hope the love and memories that you will forever hold in your heart bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
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Cheryl posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
RIP Mr Forshee. Thank you for your deduction to your family and students. We’ll miss seeing you each week at the cider mill for a dozen plain, a dozen sugar, and 1/2 dozen for the transfer station guys. Always thinking of others. :o)
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Jeffrey Breed posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
My condolences and prayers to Jim's family. Jim was a truly unique and generous man. He was such a caring and giving person whose energy and enthusiasm was contagious. My most cherished memory of Jim was when he dressed up as Santa and walked a quarter mile through a blinding snowstorm to deliver presents to our daughter, Chelsea Breed, on Christmas Eve. She was probably only three or four at the time and to see the look of awe and surprise on her face when she first saw Santa knocking on the window and then hand delivering her Christmas gifts on Christmas eve was priceless and truly unforgettable. Jim was one of a kind and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. God bless you Jim.
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Georgia Lane posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
For many years, Jim's classroom was next to mine at Cortland Jr./Sr. High School. He was such an easy person to work with. If any problems came up he was always there to help with a solution. Jim will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his entire family.
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Dan Thompson posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Professor Forshee left a very strong impression on me during my time as an undergraduate at SUNY Cortland. He was a great mentor and did so much for a large number of his students. He truly went above and beyond for me and others around me. I have so many memories with him at Cortland Student Television, Red Dragon Sports Network and covering Cortaca games, and his videography courses.
One summer, I took an internship in Albany to provide media coverage for a summer league baseball team. He loaned me an entire car load of video streaming equipment, taught me how to set it up and use it, and then was there to help the rest of the way throughout the internship....he did all of this for me out of the kindness of his heart. Just one example of the kind of things Jim did every day... Rest in peace, Jim, You will be missed dearly my friend!
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Chris Mead lit a candle
Monday, February 19, 2024
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Mr. Forshee was a great teacher/mentor/friend to me in my high school years. I learned so many things from him, not just about technology, but also about life. He always believed in me, and offered me so many great opportunities, and memories. Once I entered the military after school, I continued to write him, and sent him a picture of me in uniform that he kept on his bulletin board in his office for years. He was always so proud to show me it whenever I came to visit him at school. I had and will continue to have a great deal of respect for him. Thank you to you Mr. Forshee for everything. My heart is a little emptier now. From our family to yours we offer our condolences. We hope you find comfort in each other, but also knowing how many lives he touched & affected over the years.
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Jeanette Runyan posted a condolence
Monday, February 19, 2024
Jim and Brenda were the first to welcome us to the neighborhood when we first bought our house here in Cortland. We didn't visit often but enjoyed our conversations when we got together. He was very knowledgeable about the area and helped us to know Cortland better. We will miss him!!
Jeanette Runyan and Rich Davis
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Stan Ferrell posted a condolence
Monday, February 19, 2024
Will miss my good friend and brother and the frequent chats (texts) we shared.
Thankful you were a part of my life.
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John & Bev Poli posted a condolence
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Jim was a great teacher and human being who had a life changing impact on many of his students. We appreciate the time he spent with our son inspiring in him a love for technology. There are many men and women today who are better people because of Jim Forshee. Thank you Jim.
John and Bev Poli
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Keri Evangelista-Perez uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, February 18, 2024
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When I met Mr. Forshee, my senior year of high school, I became his forever student. I enjoyed his classes so much, I took 3 of them in one year...I was always in his classroom. As a member of the Cortland Video Club, he personally taught me how to set up and tear down cameras, do audio, replays, work the DVE machine, run the Chyron, and he even made me the director for our in class studio production. When I went to Ithaca College for Television and Radio Communications, I was well prepared and had far more skills than my peers because of Mr. Forshee. It was then, that I decided I wanted to teach communications like him.
After college, it was Mr. Forshee who helped me land not one, but two jobs teaching cameras like him. He helped me land the job as an A/V aide for CVC after he retired, but then he also hand picked me for a job teaching cameras at Suny Cortland. He and Brenda also attended my wedding.
One day at the college, he was helping me prepare for one of my classes and I kept calling him Mr. Forshee. He chuckled and told me that we were colleagues now so I could just call him Jim, but I never could because I was always learning from him, so I will always be his student and he will always be Mr. Forshee.
I am so utterly saddened that he is no longer with us, but I am so eternally grateful that he took me under his wing and helped me through high school, college, and the start of my teaching career. Rest in peace Mr. Forshee.
Thank you for everything,
Your Forever Student,
Keri Evangelista-Perez
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Melody Lowie lit a candle
Sunday, February 18, 2024
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I am so very sorry to hear that Jim has passed he was my teacher in school and a good one and he loved coming to Rex's Restaurant and I was reserving his table for him and his wife and Friends he loved table 14. rest in peace Jim.
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Victoria Riccardi posted a condolence
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Jim Forshee I’ll miss you and all our wonderful conversations. You are a wonderful person love Vickie Riccardi from Vickie’s Hair Fashion.
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Sam Mascato lit a candle
Saturday, February 17, 2024
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Mr Forshee was such an amazing person. He made such an impact on my life throughout High School. Although I respectfully declined his offer to push me further into broadcast, the fact that he offered me an opportunity will never be forgotten. Rest in peace and may your soul rest well.
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Barb and Mike McGraw posted a condolence
Saturday, February 17, 2024
We were so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Jim was an amazing man and was very influential in our son's high school experience and current career. He mentored so many students and gave them opportunities to broadcast CHS games, work with Channel 9 at the NYS Fair and broadcast the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade. Many of his students are pursuing careers in the communications field as a result of his mentoring.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Barb and Mike McGraw
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The family of D. James Forshee uploaded a photo
Saturday, February 17, 2024
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Wayne Hansen lit a candle
Saturday, February 17, 2024
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Three years ago during my cancer predicament, Jim started coming around once a week and would bring milkshakes because that's all I could have for a couple months, and he'd have me laughing so hard it hurt.
My sincere sympathy to Jim's family, if anyone's presence on this earth was consistently positive it was his
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Cortland Area Retired Teachers’ Association (CARTA) posted a condolence
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Our deepest sympathies. So many of us worked with Jim over the years.
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Constance and Ron Starmer lit a candle
Saturday, February 17, 2024
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Jim was a friend and mentor for decades. What a great man at both . Memories flood of working together at Cortland School district . Then, for Jim to continue to mentor beloved former student Melissa to continue and add to his work and legacy - both treasures .
Sincere condolences to Jim’s family , now and in the difficult times to come - we will all miss Jim .
I feel blessed to have him as a friend .
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Mary McGee posted a condolence
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Michelle, Patty and families, Brenda, Danielle, Stephanie and families - I have no words to express the sincere sorrow I feel for you all. I am recalling many memories of being a Forshee neighbor for 42 years! Our Christmas Eves together, family dinners, kids coming over to swim - just many many good times over the years. Jim was always there if I needed him, even mowing the lawn now and again. And shoveling! I am so very sorry I will not be there for his services, but would love to get together with you when I come north for the summer. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the days ahead and beyond - Love you - Mary, Brian and Lisa McGee
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Elizabeth West posted a condolence
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Mr. Forshee was so kind to me. I spent a lot of time at the Forshee household as I was part of Patty's tribe in high school. I remember he taught us classes for confirmation at St. Mary's. He was so happy to let us watch the film, "A Man for All Seasons", and was very passionate about teaching us how to be good people. I regret I never had him for a class at CHS, but everyone who did remembers him as a legend in the classroom. Sending all of our love to Patty, Michelle, and their families.
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Jim Murphy posted a condolence
Saturday, February 17, 2024
To the Forshee family, our sincere condolences , Mr. Forshee certainly had an amazing impact on our family and community. He was a wonderful example and incredibly supportive and generous man. The memories are endless. Cortland High School was very blessed to have Jim as just one of the amazing teachers and incredible individuals educating and inspiring young people. We thank God for the Life and Example of “Mr. Forshee ! Lucy&Jim Murphy
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Scott Goodrich lit a candle
Friday, February 16, 2024
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I had Jim for shop and we made plastic candy dishes. What a great guy. Condolences to the family.