Philip Ricardo Forde

A beautiful life taken from our sight but will remain in our hearts forever.

Philip Ricardo Forde, aka Pop, took his first breath on May 24, 1950, in Hill Road, Bank Hall, St. Michael, Barbados. His parents were Naomi Lydia Forde and Victor Nathaniel Fenty (both deceased). He spent most of his early years living with his paternal grandmother.

Phil attended Wesley Hall elementary school, and then went on to St. Leonards secondary school. He later joined his father in the United States, residing in Brooklyn, New York, where he met his first wife and, as a result, his first child, Victor, was born. In his quest for a better life, he received an Accounting Certificate from Sobelsohn Business School and proceeded to work at various firms in the Wall Street area.

As time went by, he met Wendy, the love of his life and future wife. They subsequently relocated to California in 1978 where they gave birth to their son, Christopher. Within the first year, he found employment with Aetna Life and Casualty as a Senior Auditor for 14 years. After Aetna, he worked for several insurance companies, traveling throughout California until retirement. In his travels, he had many unusual experiences. One such experience was when he got caught in severe fog, in northern California, where he felt his only option was to follow the lights of the vehicle ahead of him. When the car he was following finally stopped, there was a knock on his window and a man said to him “you are in my driveway.” As an auditor, Phil travelled constantly throughout California. He never wanted to fly and would always drive to all his audits.

He and his wife wanted to give their son a Christian education, so they joined the Panorama Baptist Church in Arleta while their son attended the Church school. Sometime later the family was baptized and became official members. Phil acquired the position of Deacon and treasurer and served in whatever capacity that was required of him for approximately thirteen years. He believed in God and tried to live a life that would be pleasing in God’s eyes.

Philip was a devoted husband and loving father. He was a very friendly, caring, and a socially dynamic individual. He loved people and they were attracted to him like a magnet. Almost everyone he encountered, he referred to them as “My friend.” He was a generous person and was always willing to help others as best he could. He loved playing tennis and dominoes, watching old westerns, working in his yard, and spending time with his friends.

After retirement, Phil and Wendy relocated to Apopka, Florida in 2014. In their search for a church home, they were eventually introduced to Solid Rock Seventh Day Adventist Church. The teachings of the Seventh Day Adventist Church were refreshing, eye opening, and a spiritual awakening for them. They were happy to be involved in Church activities and attended Church on a regular basis.

Prior to joining Solid Rock, Phil was diagnosed with a heart condition. As time passed, his condition worsened, and he was constantly hospitalized. However, when he was not in the hospital, he tried his best to attend church as often as he could. Phil had planned to surprise his wife by getting rebaptized but, unfortunately, he succumbed to his illness on February 11, 2024.

Phil is survived by his wife, Wendy, of 42 years. His two sons, Victor, and Christopher; grandson: Xavier; Siblings: Mark, Jeffrey, Beverly, Curtis, Shirley, Anthony, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. I would also make mention of his two deceased siblings, Marcia, and Frederick, whom he dearly loved.

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