Drew Forsley
Drew Trevor Forsley, 55, of Lexington, MA, a former long-time resident of Manchester-by- the Sea, MA ("Manchester"), passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Drew is the son of Richard J. Forsley and the late Barbara Lawrence Forsley and was born in Syracuse, New York on June 4, 1963. Growing up with six brothers, there was never a dull moment for the Forsley clan. Barbara enjoyed telling hilarious stories about the boys antics. Despite the challenges, Richard and Barbara raised Drew and his brothers to be incredibly bright and charismatic men.
Drew attended Manchester schools through 9th grade and then Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. At Kimball Union Academy, Drew played soccer, lacrosse and was on the ski team. After graduating, Drew attended Ripon College in Ripon, WI. Before being able to graduate from Ripon, Drew sustained a serious brain injury in a car accident and was in a coma for months. Drew spent about 18 months at Lewis Bay Head Injury Center in Hyannis MA for rehabilitation where he relearned how to walk and talk. Drew then returned to Manchester to be reunited with family and friends and worked part-time at the Beach Street Caf. Drew always enjoyed riding his three-wheeled bike to downtown Manchester to see friends and acquaintances, and loved riding in the Fourth of July parade.
Drew later moved to Durham, NC for further rehabilitation at Brain Injury Support Services and again was resolved to reintegrate back into the community. Drew obtained independent living, moved to Raleigh, NC and met Murial C. King with whom he had one daughter, Lindi, who Drew always referred to as the sunshine of his life. Drew proved to be a very devoted father while managing to stay active and maintain amazing physical health. Drew moved again in 2010 to Lexington, MA for further rehabilitation at the Douglas House Assisted Living Facility. Being characteristically resilient, he again was able to regain independent living and got an apartment. Drew continued to ride his beloved giant tricycle every day, often to visit his friends at Douglas House and tend to his vegetables that grew in their therapy garden.
Although Drew had amazing strength and resilience through his endless rehabilitation, he consistently acknowledged that it was the love and support he received from family, friends and acquaintances, and health care professionals that helped him obtain his miraculous recovery and independent living. Locals would quickly get to know and love him no matter where he moved, being the social butterfly that he was. Drew will never be forgotten for his superhuman strength and goofy sense of humor. He inspired everyone he met by never letting his disabilities get in the way of being the lively, active spirit that he was.
Drew was predeceased by his mother Barbara L. Forsley and his sister-in-law Lisa S. Forsley. He is survived by his father Richard J. Forsley of Manchester, his ex-wife Murial C. King of New York, NY, his daughter Lindi M. Forsley of Dexter, ME, his brothers, Craig Forsley and his wife Giovanna of Peabody, MA, Richard N. Forsley of Oakland, ME, Alan W. Forsley, and his wife Angelina of Los Angeles, CA, Bruce R. Forsley and his wife Jennifer of Scarborough, ME, David B. Forsley of Vernon, CT and Lawrence P. Forsley of San Diego, CA, and his many nieces and nephews.
Back
Drew attended Manchester schools through 9th grade and then Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. At Kimball Union Academy, Drew played soccer, lacrosse and was on the ski team. After graduating, Drew attended Ripon College in Ripon, WI. Before being able to graduate from Ripon, Drew sustained a serious brain injury in a car accident and was in a coma for months. Drew spent about 18 months at Lewis Bay Head Injury Center in Hyannis MA for rehabilitation where he relearned how to walk and talk. Drew then returned to Manchester to be reunited with family and friends and worked part-time at the Beach Street Caf. Drew always enjoyed riding his three-wheeled bike to downtown Manchester to see friends and acquaintances, and loved riding in the Fourth of July parade.
Drew later moved to Durham, NC for further rehabilitation at Brain Injury Support Services and again was resolved to reintegrate back into the community. Drew obtained independent living, moved to Raleigh, NC and met Murial C. King with whom he had one daughter, Lindi, who Drew always referred to as the sunshine of his life. Drew proved to be a very devoted father while managing to stay active and maintain amazing physical health. Drew moved again in 2010 to Lexington, MA for further rehabilitation at the Douglas House Assisted Living Facility. Being characteristically resilient, he again was able to regain independent living and got an apartment. Drew continued to ride his beloved giant tricycle every day, often to visit his friends at Douglas House and tend to his vegetables that grew in their therapy garden.
Although Drew had amazing strength and resilience through his endless rehabilitation, he consistently acknowledged that it was the love and support he received from family, friends and acquaintances, and health care professionals that helped him obtain his miraculous recovery and independent living. Locals would quickly get to know and love him no matter where he moved, being the social butterfly that he was. Drew will never be forgotten for his superhuman strength and goofy sense of humor. He inspired everyone he met by never letting his disabilities get in the way of being the lively, active spirit that he was.
Drew was predeceased by his mother Barbara L. Forsley and his sister-in-law Lisa S. Forsley. He is survived by his father Richard J. Forsley of Manchester, his ex-wife Murial C. King of New York, NY, his daughter Lindi M. Forsley of Dexter, ME, his brothers, Craig Forsley and his wife Giovanna of Peabody, MA, Richard N. Forsley of Oakland, ME, Alan W. Forsley, and his wife Angelina of Los Angeles, CA, Bruce R. Forsley and his wife Jennifer of Scarborough, ME, David B. Forsley of Vernon, CT and Lawrence P. Forsley of San Diego, CA, and his many nieces and nephews.
