Jack Forgette, 82; Gift Store Owner

Former Pacific Palisades businessman John ‘Jack’ Forgette passed away quietly of congestive heart failure on December 21 at St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard. He was 82. His old friend, Dr. Mike Martini, said of Jack, ‘He formed a loyalty to all who befriended him; we will miss him.”   Born May 17, 1930, Jack grew up, an only child, in Syracuse, New York.’ He graduated from Syracuse University in the late 1940’s, where he played halfback for the Syracuse Orangemen. Jack served in the Air Force (1950-55) and was stationed in the San Francisco area. He moved to Pacific Palisades and began his sales career with the Armstrong Company.’Later, he worked for an acoustics company that specialized in integrated ceilings. He also was the owner/builder for several remodels in the Palisades.   Jack married Nelle Minds, who was the love of his life.’ She was the director of the Pacific Palisades Nursery School at the Presbyterian Church.’ Together they were active in the church, including serving on the Pastor Seeking Committee that brought former pastor Rev. John Todd to the church in 1985.’   In 1984, Jack and Nelle bought the old Medford store on Swarthmore (currently P2), which became Forgette’s gift store, the main retail outlet of its kind at the time. Jack and Nelle always looked forward to going to Maui each August.   Jack was an active member of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 283, and past president of the Optimist Club (1987-88).’ He loved all sports, and was an avid golfer, playing with several groups in the Palisades.’ Jack loved to dance and listen to music.’ He sang in a barbershop quartet as the bass vocal and occasionally played drums for the Friday Jazz Group at Liston Witherill’s house.’   Jack’s beloved wife, Nelle, passed away in 1990 after a long battle with cancer.’ He moved to Camarillo about nine years ago, where he and his loyal standard poodle, Marley, lived and made many new friends.’