James Lyndon Forquer

James Lyndon Forquer

James Lyndon “Jim” Forquer, 57, died tragically on March 10, 2008 in Isla Navidad, Mexico. Jim, a long-time sailor, was walking back to his boat in the marina when he accidentally tripped from a walkway and fell to his death on a launch ramp below.

Jim was born in Mineola, New York on September 1, 1950 and spent his childhood in Port Washington, New York. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1973 with a BS in Industrial Engineering and a BA in Economics. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Dallas in 1980.

After graduating from Syracuse, Jim accepted a manufacturing engineering position with Texas Instruments starting a successful career in high tech. He moved to Dallas, Texas where he met and married Gwen Scott in 1980.

Jim’s high-tech business career spanned over 33 years. He was a much sought after expert in global supply chain and product development strategy with Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath (PRTM), an international consulting firm which he joined in 1994. Jim had previously served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations for AST, a personal computer manufacturer. Prior to AST, he was Worldwide Operations Vice President for Apple Computer. During his 12 years with Apple, Jim moved from Dallas to northern California and also held the position of Managing Director, Singapore operations, where he lived with his family for four years. Throughout his career, whenever improvement was needed, Jim could figure out how to get it done. Many who worked with Jim considered him their mentor, their “go-to” guy.

While Jim was known as a bit of a workaholic, he was also a “liveaholic” as described by his son, Andy. Jim was a scuba diver, small aircraft pilot, motorcyclist, saxophonist, disc jockey, windsurfer, wakeboarder, sound engineer, remote-control glider hobbyist and a triathlete, having completed the Pacific Coast Triathlon in Newport Beach in September.

Sailing was Jim’s overriding passion. His father introduced him to boating and watersports as a child. He bought his first sailboat in his teens. Jim became a competitive racer, successfully campaigning sailboats on the West Coast and in Southeast Asia. Recently, he crewed on another sailboat which won the Atlantic Race for Cruisers from Spain to the Caribbean. When Jim retired in 2006, he turned his attention to cruising and was currently dividing his time between Orange County and the coast of Mexico on his pristine sailing catamaran, Legato. He made many friends in the sailing community. Jim was quick to help with a word or a hand.

Jim was a long-time member and second year director of the Balboa Yacht Club. Out of his love of Catalina Island and his yacht club affiliation, Jim supported the Catalina Island Conservancy, whose mission is to be a responsible steward of the island through a balance of conservation, education and recreation. Jim was also an active volunteer with Los Niños, which provides educational opportunities to disadvantaged children in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Jim Forquer is survived by his wife Gwen, his sons Thomas and Andrew and his daughter Heather. He is also survived by his mother and father, Betty and Rush Forquer of Southhold, New York, his brother David Forquer of Atlanta, Georgia and his sister Ellyn Forquer of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Although Jim’s life was cut short, in his 57 years he touched the lives of many, both professionally and personally. He was a loving father, husband, son, mentor, and friend. He will be sorely missed.

A memorial service and reception with family and friends will be held on Tuesday, March 25^th at 3:00 PM on the outdoor Flag Deck of the Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, CA. (949-673-3515)

In lieu of flowers you may make donations in Jim’s honor to one of the following charities:

The Alzheimer’s Association

https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp” href=”https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp”>https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp

The Catalina Conservancy

https://www.catalinaconservancy.org/donations/index.cfm” href=”https://www.catalinaconservancy.org/donations/index.cfm”>https://www.catalinaconservancy.org/donations/index.cfm

Los Niños

https://www.losninos.us/donations.html” href=”https://www.losninos.us/donations.html”>https://www.losninos.us/donations.html