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Roger Rene Forness passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022, in Kailua, HI.He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Annette Forness, daughters Heather Forness Thomas (Kyle Thomas) and Malia Forness. Grandchildren Liam Forness Thomas and Hudson Forness Thomas. He was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Forness, siblings Michael Forness, Kevin Forness, M. Michele Bush, and his son Shawn Forness.
Born and raised in his small hometown of Cuba, NY and finally landing in Hawaii, he managed to embrace the Aloha spirit and made many lifelong friends. Besides eternally being a Star Trek aficionado, a few of his proudest moments included adopting his daughter Malia from China in 2006, training in Tae kwon do and attaining a brown belt, completing the 2000 Tin Man Triathlon and being a member of the Bills Mafia.
Graduating in 1973 from Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, NY, he excelled in sports – playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. Continuing his education, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology in 1977 at Indiana University. While there he also played Hoosier basketball under Bobby Knight. He completed his Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering/Applied Mathematics at Vanderbilt University in 1985.
For much of his career, he worked for Gannett Corp at various newspapers across the United States. A lifelong Star Trek fan, it is no surprise that he spent his career in technology. In 1996 while employed at the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, NY – he was awarded his first Gannett President's Ring for excellence in management information systems. The President's Rings were the newspaper division's highest honor and honorees had to consistently perform at the highest levels despite the challenges the media industry faced at the time. In 1998, he relocated to Honolulu where he was employed as the Vice President of Technology at the Honolulu Advertiser, which subsequently merged with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and later became the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. During his time at the newspaper, he engaged in various charitable causes such as the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, Hawaii International Child, and Aloha United Way.
While Roger is no longer with us physically, please keep your favorite memories of him. You may smile, laugh, cry, shake your head or even roll your eyes at some of these memories, but he has gifted these memories made for you to keep. Though his mission on Earth was only 67 years, we believe he has finally made it to the Final Frontier. Live Long & Prosper!
A Celebration of Life will be held in May 2023.
