Obituary of David S. DeForest

David S. DeForest, 74, passed away April 18, 2021 at home peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous four year battle with cancer.  He was the husband of Marie (Billington) Deforest.  They shared 52 years of marriage.

Born in Amsterdam, New York he was the son of Lloyd and Genevieve DeForest.  He graduated in 1965 from Wilbur H. Lynch High School.  After graduating he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served honorably in the 3^rd Marine Division, 9^th Regiment, achieving the rank of Corporal.  He served 13 months in Vietnam and participated in 14 operations in the war zone.  While in the Marine Corps he earned the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and qualification bars.  After returning home he was employed at Verizon for over thirty years as a fiber optics technician.  After retiring from Verizon he joined the Lynch Literacy Academy staff as a hall monitor where he worked for over 10 years before retiring in 2017.

David was an active member of his community serving on the Town of Florida Planning Board and coaching basketball for the CYO.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post 701.  He dedicated his life to his family and enjoyed spending time with them.  He especially looked forward to days spent by his pool with his grandchildren and the yearly family vacations to the ocean.  He was an accomplished woodworker and could often be found in his woodworking shop.  He enjoyed the outdoors, including hikes in the Adirondacks.  Dave loved animals and could always be found with his cat or dog by his side.

David is survived by his wife, Marie, his children Stephanie (Chuck) Myers, Stacie (Tim) O’Connell, his grandchildren Catherine, Nick, Caleb and Ryan. He is also survived by his mother Genevieve, his brother Richard (Sally) DeForest and his sister Nancy DeForest-Pallone; along with his brother and sister in-laws Joan Francisco, Thomas (Laurie) Billington, Kathy (David) Bonanno and Deborah (Leonard) LaPorte, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Lloyd DeForest and his father and mother in-law Thomas and Iona Billington.

A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 2p.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.  COVID-19 Protocols are in place, masks are required and capacity is limited.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorporject.org  or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org or The Montgomery County SPCA, PO Box 484, Amsterdam, NY 12010.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home.  Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com