Allan Lee Forrister, 79, of Coldwater passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Insight Hospital and Medical Coldwater after suffering a massive seizure.
A celebration of Al’s life will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Oscar Brown’s Tavern at Bella Vista Golf Course.
Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home.
Al was born in Coldwater September 5, 1946 to James J. and Desolyn (Palmer) Forrister. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1966 and married Nancy Goldinger in October of that year. Together they had two children, James L. Forrister and Amy Lynn Forrister.
In 1975, Al married Christine Culy and they built the house that they would live in together on Coldwater Lake until her passing in 2018. Al spent his last five years with love and lifelong friend Cheryl (Vance) Downs.
That same year, Al founded City Glass of Coldwater. There were many lean years early on, but City Glass is still in operation today, having celebrated 50 years in 2025. It is now the largest glass facility in southern Michigan and the Tri State area. Al was widely recognized within the industry as the finest glazier the area has ever known.
Al was an avid motorcyclist and snowmobiler. He visited nearly every “bike week” in the country during his life. Al also traversed the entire upper peninsula of Michigan, backpacking on a snowmobile, with his son Jim, brother-in-law Tim Martin and many friends.
During his last backpack trip at the age of 65, Al sat up in his hotel room bed one evening, turned to Jim and said “This is the best time I’ve ever had! I sure hope I can still do this when Sam is old enough.” He got his wish by taking his grandson Sam snowmobiling several times before he was forced to give up the sport.
Allan was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sharon and his wife Christine Culy Forrister.
Allan is survived by his son and daughter-in-law James (Debra) Forrister, his daughter and “favorite” son-in-law Amy (Bob) Curtis; his sister and brother-in-law Dorothy (Tim) Martin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jeff and Kathy Culy; his grandchildren Heather Heuck, Michelle Hueck, Sarah (whom he always called “Bug”) Forrister, Samuel Forrister; three great grandchildren and his wife of two years Cheryl Downs.
He is also survived by his 1955 Chris Craft Cobra which, like Al, has lived its entire life on Coldwater Lake.
Those who knew Al, knew him as a man of physically imposing stature with a great smile and a charming sense of humor. We hope you all remember him this way.
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