Tributes have been paid to the late businessman Forster Richardson, a much loved and highly respected gentleman who “brought smiles to many”.

William Forster Richardson, 80, late of Friar’s Leap, 2 Lough Shore Road, Enniskillen, passed away at the South West Acute Hospital on November 4, 2021.

Forster’s son Tony paid tribute to his late father, describing him as a “gentleman undoubtedly”.

“He was loving, so kind and generous, a little mischievous, irrepressible even, particularly in his younger days, a character, somewhat impatient, determined – yes definitely that, unique and so very loyal. Nothing gave my dad, Forster greater pleasure than giving to others. He brought smiles to many,” he said.

Forster was born on October 22, 1941, the youngest of John and Lily Richardson’s children, and younger brother to Vera, John and Valerie.

He was educated locally at The Model Primary School and went on to attend Portora Royal School, Enniskillen.

Forster loved school and playing sport, being a team member of the rugby and cricket teams.

At the age of 16, he left school and went into the family business to work with his older brother, John. Over the years, he had an array of different jobs, working in the hardware shop on East Bridge Street, working in the builders yard, selling kitchens and Renault cars, and even working in an undertakers where he sometimes walked in front of the hearse at funerals.

Respected

In later years, he owned two successful jewellery and china shops, one in Omagh and one in Enniskillen. He was a popular boss and a respected member of the business community in both towns, eventually retiring in 2007.

In 1965, Forster met the love of his life Lorna on a blind date at a beer and food festival in Enniskillen. Romance followed and they were married in 1967.

In January 1971, Forster and Lorna’s daughter Jenny was born, followed by their second child Tony in November 1975. Forster was a loving, kind father. Sadly, his daughter Jenny passed away unexpectedly in 2010.

“Notwithstanding the challenges presented to [dad], he always overcame them and put his best foot forward. He rarely complained,” said Tony.

Later in life, golf became a passion of Forster’s, becoming captain and president of the Enniskillen Golf club, and later president of Castle Hume Golf Club. He was also a keen bowler, playing for the Irish Bowls team and becoming Irish champion.

Forster was an avid follower of horseracing and would spend many happy days at the Irish horseracing meetings, so much so that he and his friends made a number of investments in a racehorse or two – he enjoyed being a member of the Castle Hume Racing Syndicate.

Ever an optimistic man, at each race he willed those horses on to win, and every now and again, would enjoy a win.

He also served on the Northern Ireland Sports Council in the late 1970s, was a member of the local Masonic Lodge, the Island Investment Club, the Round Table and later the 41 Club.

“Through his membership of the Round Table, he would help organise pre-Christmas Santa Claus visits for the children. For those children, it was wonderful for them to hear the reindeer hooves on the roof as Santa arrived and gave everyone an early Christmas gift. [Dad] helped bring the magic to everyone he met,” recalled Tony.

After a short time of illness, Forster sadly passed away on November 4.

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Forster took place at Rossorry Parish Church on Saturday, November 6, where he had been christened and confirmed. The Very Rev. Kenneth Hall and Rev. Canon Desmond Kingston officiated at the service. During the address, Rev. Kingston described Forster as “a unique, exciting, fun-loving man who brought joy, happiness and light into the lives of all those who knew him”. Tony and Forster’s niece, Ciara Hambly, delivered a family tribute to Forster, with Ciara reading “Death is nothing at all”.

Forster’s funeral was arranged by Austen Stinson of W T Morrison, Funeral Directors.

Beloved husband of Lorna, dearly loved father of Tony (Chris) and the late Jenny Bersot (Claude), dear brother of the late John, Vera and Valerie and a much loved uncle, Forster is lovingly remembered by his family and the family circle.

“[Dad] was a kind, loyal man, who was generous with his time, compassion, money and most of all, his love. We will all miss him dearly,” said Tony of his late father.