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Lawrence “Larry” Forand, 88, formerly of Westborough, a longtime professional musician, teacher and family man, died Thursday, April 19, 2012 after a brief illness.
Born March 21, 1924 in Webster, son of Alfred and Lillian Forand. Larry enjoyed a long life woven into a tapestry of patriotic service to his country in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific (Guadalcanal) during World War II; a prominent career as a professional musician with the Big Bands; an accomplished music teacher and academic administrator in Massachusetts and Broward County, Florida and as a very loving husband and father.
Upon his return to San Diego from serving overseas, Larry’s extraordinary musical abilities were sought by the U.S. Marine Corps Band until his discharge into civilian life. He married his childhood sweetheart, Marion Brezniak of Dudley and they eventually had their first of three children, Barbara Jane.
Larry’s musical prowess with the trumpet enabled him to become a key contributor in the Big Band phenomenon during which time he played with a number of the notable orchestras, most especially the Ray McKinley Band for years.
He later pursued his college degree at the Boston Conservatory of Music which prepared him to become one of the most highly respected music teachers and administrators in Massachusetts (Westboro School System) and eventually South Florida. Larry continued to perform professionally in orchestras playing top performers such as Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Bobby Darin, Juliette Prowse, Andy Williams, and Johnnie Mathis. He also sat first chair in the brass section of the orchestra selected to play President Nixon’s Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC.
Larry’s greatest sense of accomplishment was in ensuring his three daughters – Barbara, Denise and Michele – pursued and obtained strong educational training graduating from Clark University, the University of Texas and the University of Florida. Throughout his life until the day he passed, he watched with joy and pride the many professional and personal achievements made by each of his three
daughters.
In 1989, he sadly lost his wife of 44 years and mother of his children, Marion, to cancer.
Larry was blessed to meet and marry Norma Rodin of Ft. Lauderdale and enjoyed a very happy 22-year marriage to her until his death. She has steadfastly been his best friend and compassionate caregiver for many years.
He is predeceased by his parents Alfred and Lillian Forand, his brothers and sisters – Lillian Forand Kelly, Alfred Forand, Jr., Marie Forand Walsh, Leonard Forand, and Phyllis Forand Katzmar.
He leaves his wife, Norma, his brother, Norman Forand and wife, Peggy, and his daughters and son-in-laws: Barbara and Tom Kimball of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Michele and Craig Williamson of Palm Beach Gardens and Washington, DC; Denise and Gary Nagle of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and his grandchildren, daughter-in-law and great grandchildren: Sarah Nagle, Adam Nagle and wife, Jody, and their three boys Connor, Riley and Jaxton.
In lieu of flowers, his grateful family kindly requests donations be made in his name to the Hospice of the Palm Beaches (FL) at JFK Hospital, 5301 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33462 for their angelic and compassionate care of him and his family in his time of suffering.
Comments (3)
Andy Vocalist, and Johnnie Mathis. He also sat archetypal situation in the section divide of the orchestra elect to freedom Chairman Nixon's Maiden Masque in Educator, DC. http://www.testbells.com/642-741.html
There are few people you talk about forty years after saying "good-bye" but Mr. Forand was one of those who still comes up in conversations among former students of WHS. I remember meeting this wonderful guy when I was 12 years old. He encouraged me to start playing a musical instrument and for the rest of my years in school there was always something fun to do and a place to go that relieved all the pressures of growing up in Westboro, Mass.
He was a funny guy, very patient and full of knowledge about music and life. We all loved him. And it is a sad day now to realize he is no longer here to share all of this with the world.
To all of his family. . .we share your sorrow.
Condolences to the Forand Family.
Mr. Forand was the musical director for the entire Westboro School system. He was essentially the lone founder of the musical department and responsible for the high regard for which it is held today. How he did this on a shoe string budget and with essentially no assistance, is really remarkable.
It began in the fourth grade for me, I was a trumpet player and was priveleged to be under the tutelage of one of the country's great trumpet players, Mr Larry Forand. Later on in high school, I went on to play bass guitar in the high school dance band which was also directed by Larry.
Mr. Forand, a big band and jazz trumpet player, was simply the best teacher and no doubt the coolest cat in school. He had the attitude of a happy go lucky guy and treated students as if he was one of them. He had an energy and love of music that was at once obvious and contagious. It is doubtful that any student ever disliked him.
He is even more impressive looking back on his life. He played with some of the country's great big bands. I had the privlege to play with him at the Chateau De Ville in Framingham Ma, in the musical, Fiddler on The Roof starring Theodore Bikel. Mr. Forand was also director of that orchestra as well.
Through the years Westboro musicians would often bring up Mr. Forand in conversation, he was not an easy guy to forget. In fact, I still play in a band in which there are three members who were Mr. Forand's students. We have always had a photo of Mr. Forand on our website in the photo Gallery section which you can see at www.baggyknees.com. That photo is how we all remember him. There is no question Mr. Forand gave us our foundation in music and a worthy interest that will be with us the rest of our lives.
Even more astounding is to realize that he was a Marine who served on Guadalcanal during World War Two. I have written a book on the war in the Pacific and I know all too well the hell and horror Larry faced in that conflict. But we never knew this about Mr. Forand. He was an unassuming hero as well as a great teacher.
I can't think of any teacher who had a more positive impact on an area of a student's life than Mr. Larry Forand. Anyone who ever had the good fortune to have had him as their instructor and mentor, has only good memories of a truly unique character and a great guy.Thank you Mr. Forand,you will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Gregory Kojoyian, Boston Ma