James W. Forsman, 87

James William Forsman of Suquamish died March 1, 2005 in Bremerton. He was 87.

Forsman was born to Alexander Forsman and Marion Temple in Suquamish on Sept. 23, 1917.

He married Helen Murray Forsman on June 14, 1942 in Baltimore, Md.

Forsman graduated from North Kitsap Junior High School and attended North Kitsap High School.

He served as chairman of the Suquamish Tribe in the late 1960s. He was a logger for Blossom Brothers and a driver for Hudson Disposal and Brem-Air Disposal. Forsman served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1936 to 1947, serving in the USS Leonard Wood, a Navy transport that participated in battles in the Pacific and North Africa during WWII. Forsman also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve from 1951 to 1977, achieving rank of chief boatswains mate.

Forsman enjoyed fishing, pets, tribal and military history and watching the Seattle Mariners. He was a Suquamish Tribal Elder.

Forsman is survived by his wife Helen Forsman of Suquamish; sons Jim of San Francisco, Tony, John and Leonard, all of Suquamish; and stepson and nephew Joe of Tacoma.

He was preceded in death by brother Joe Forsman and daughter Marion Forsman-Boushie.

A Mass at St. Peter’s Church was held on Friday and a memorial service will be at 1 p.m. March 5 at the Suquamish Tribal Center.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Children’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 50020/5-200, Seattle, WA 98145.