Claremont, N.H. —
He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Cabot High School in 1952. After High School he began working for the Cabot Creamery and then Cross Baking Company in Montpelier, Vt. He married and had four children.
In 1967, his job with Cross Baking brought his family to Claremont where he was promoted to fleet manager and became a licensed electrician. For many years he volunteered wiring the electrical power for the Claremont 4th of July Celebrations.
In 1978, Forrest retired from Cross Baking and purchased the local bowling alley, Maple Lanes. He also became part owner of the Modified Lane 13 race car which raced at the Claremont Speedway. After his bowling alley and racing days, Forrest then worked for many years in the facilities department at Valley Regional Hospital until his retirement.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting, bowling, horse shoes, cribbage and racing. He loved watching the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, and NASCAR racing.
Forrest was predeceased by both his parents and his siblings, Robert Searles of Barre, Vt., Marion Godfrey of Cabot, Vt., Earl Searles of Walden, Vt., Gordon Searles of Manchester, N.H., Roger Searles of Cabot, Roland Searles of Cabot, Doris Hovey of Cabot, Lester Searles of Hancock, N.H., Madeline Camp of Barre, Vt., Mary Rocheleau of Concord, Vt. and Richard Searles of Cabot.
Survivors include son, Gary Searles of Lebanon, N.H.; and daughters, Deborah Arcand and husband, Robert of Winooski, Vt., Delinda Dupree of Meriden, N.H. and Darlene Sprague and husband, Samuel of Unity N.H.; sisters, Marjorie Gendron of Montpelier, Vt., Olive Wilson of Newbury, Vt., Donna Winchester of Newbury and Shirley McClay of Cabot; grandchildren, Benjamin Searles of Largo, Fla., Matthew Searles of Newport, N.H., PFC Jonathan Searles of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Andrea McMahon of Walpole, N.H., Stephen Sprague of Winooski, Vt., Harrison Sprague of Burlington, Vt., Airman Charles Sprague of Monterey Calif., Timothy and Joseph Dupree of Meriden; great-granddaughters, Caidence Verill and Caelyn McMahon of Walpole.
Memorial Services will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Roy Funeral Home, 93 Sullivan Street, Claremont. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NH Association for the Blind, 25 Walker Street, Concord NH 03301.
You are invited to share a memory of Forrest with the family at www.royfuneralhome.com.