Thomas Forgash

Thomas E. Forgash, 81, of Garwood died Feb. 20, 2019. He was born in New York City.

Mr. Forgash was a small business owner.

He received his B.A. in 1961 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and an M.B.A. in 1970 from Rutgers University in Newark.

He was a classically trained clarinetist who taught himself many other musical instruments. He also had a passion for languages, including Yiddish, Hebrew, French, and Italian. Among his many hobbies were mathematics, photography, gardening, tennis, golf, sailing, magic, wine, dance, travel, and history.

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He volunteered at the Newark Museum, and as a teacher of English as a Second Language and math for high school GED candidates in Plainfield. He was an officer of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey and also a founder of the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie (Zients); two sons, Adam (Cathy) and Benjamin (Keira); and two grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 22 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Emanu-El, Westfield; Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, Elizabeth; or Newark Museum.