Forrest C. Ames

Forrest C. Ames, of Fitzwilliam Road, Jaffrey, died Saturday, September 8, 2012, after celebrating his 100th birthday at his home just two weeks earlier with family and friends. Amesy was born on his beloved Martha’s Vineyard on August 19, 1912, fifth child of George and Nellie (Call) Ames. He grew up on farms in Massachusetts and New Hampshire while his father worked as a farmer and carpenter. Eventually the family settled in Milford, where he graduated from high school. Later he received a degree in mechanical engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology. In 1939 he married Hester Small and they honeymooned at the New York World’s Fair. Amesy worked for several Northeast firms before becoming a sales representative for Fife and Co. of Oklahoma City. Ultimately he founded his own company at age 45, Ames Engineering, Inc., specializing in designing, manufacturing, and selling machinery for the paper industry. He will be remembered for his hard work (his “religion” according to his wife) and loyal service to his customers who would ask for him long after he had retired! Amesy was one of the hardest-working Yankees anyone will ever know. In the early ‘50s he and his family built a log cabin on Pleasant Lake in Casco, Maine, including a huge fieldstone fireplace. Soon after, he built and installed all the camp furniture. Their camp was a source of work and joy for many years. He was one of few remaining craftsmen who was equally proficient working with metal or wood. After retirement he planted and tended large vegetable gardens, operated his own machine shop, and did all the work necessary to maintain their country residence, “Cricket Hill” in Jaffrey. He and Hester also bought and sold antiques at shows throughout New England. His wife Hester, his dear “Snooks”, died earlier this year. They had celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2009 at a house party with friends and relatives. He is survived by their son Stephen and his wife Joan of Marlborough, NH; many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. At home he was fortunate to have a team of excellent caregivers and grateful appreciation is extended to the staff at the Good Shepherd Healthcare Center for providing excellent care to both Hester and Amesy. Amesy’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends honor his life with a contribution to the Monadnock Conservancy, P O Box 337, Keene, NH 03431. Family and friends will honor and remember Amesy’s life by gathering at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202 South) in Jaffrey on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 11:00AM for a service to be conducted by his son Stephen and Rev. Robert Kyte from the First Church of Jaffrey. Burial will be in the family lot at Phillips Cemetery in Jaffrey Center. http://thetributecenter.com/tributeplayer/default.aspx?webcasteventid=1699#/webcast