Stephen Conrad Forgiel

Stephen C. Forgiel, Lt. Col. (ret.) USAF, 64, died January 9, 2014, at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, MA. He succumbed to cancer after an exemplary struggle befitting a career officer in the United States Air Force. He was born in Rumford, RI, on July 20, 1949, to Dr. Ferdinand Forgiel and Jane (Hohing) Forgiel.
One of seven siblings, Stephen learned early in life the values which formed his strong character and were the consistent hallmarks of a life dedicated to loyal service to his family, his friends, his community and his country. His family taught him to care, share and to always exceed expectations when discharging his responsibilities. He took their lessons very seriously and applied them to a life marked by personal commitment to the common good even when it meant great personal sacrifice on his part.
After graduating from East Providence High School, Stephen obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Fairfield University, CT. This degree, earned in 1971 was to be followed by two Masters Degrees, one an MBA in Accountancy from Western New England College in 1982 and the other an MS in Accountancy from Bentley College in 1996. Before the advanced degrees, however, Stephen had decided to pursue a career in the United States Air Force and began his military career at Pope Air Force Base as a Navigator and Airlift Control Supervisor in 1972. While there he met his future wife, Karla Griffin of Laurinberg, NC. They married March 6, 1982, and four years later welcomed their beloved son, Stephen who was born April 14, 1986, in Little Rock, AR, where Stephen was stationed. Shortly after that Stephen was posted to Germany where the family lived for three years, giving them the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe. The family eventually settled in Pepperell, MA.
Stephen's Air Force career saw him receive professional military education at the US Army Command and General Staff College and the US Air Force War College. He served at the aforementioned Pope Air Force Base, became an Instructor and Flight Leader at Little Rock Air Force Base, a Division Chief of Operations Plans at Ramstein AFB, Germany and a Division Chief of Program Control at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. Among Stephen's Air Force career highlights are the humanitarian drought relief missions he flew in Mali, Africa. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel after 23 years of service.
After his active military career ended, Stephen became a CPA and worked at various accounting firms in the Fitchburg and Andover areas. He eventually did consulting work for the Air Force as a Senior Financial Specialist, again at Hanscom AFB.
Stephen was predeceased by his beloved wife, Karla on September 27, 2011, and is survived by his beloved son, Stephen. He is also survived by his six siblings: Jane Vaccaro of Northport, NY, Kay Bardzik of Pelham, MA, Alexandra Jasinski of Leverett, MA, Constance Bouvier of Reading, MA, John Forgiel of Bradford, NH and David Forgiel of North Attleboro, MA.