The Rev. Don Forsythe retired as chief of anesthesiology at Holy Spirit Hospital in 1999. After his wife died, he decided to become a priest.The Rev. Don Forsythe has been many things: the father of nine, a doctor, head of a medical department and, for the last six years, a priest.
The constant in his life has been an unwavering dedication to every cause he’s taken on.
Now, at 77, Forsythe faces the new obstacle of learning to walk again. After falling ill due to diabetic complications on a trip overseas this fall, one of his feet was partially amputated. He has since been fitted with a prosthetic.
He’s been receiving treatment and staying with his daughter in Lower Allen Twp., but is determined to return to his parishioners in Tuscumbia, Ala.
Since his high school days in Northern Ireland, Forsythe has demonstrated a determination to overcome obstacles. A principal told him he could never become a doctor because Forsythe’s family couldn’t afford the tuition. He attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin before immigrating to the U.S.
Forsythe worked at Holy Spirit Hospital in East Pennsboro Twp., retiring as chief of anesthesiology in 1999.
“He was a wonderful physician, and later, a wonderful priest,†said Sister Romaine Niemeyer, president and CEO of the Holy Spirit Health System, who worked with him for many years.
Forsythe raised nine children in Camp Hill. They all attended Good Shepherd School and Trinity High School.
But he found himself at another crossroads after his wife of 38 years died and he suffered a stroke.
“After three months, I thought, oh, my God, if I don’t do anything, I’ll be gone in another three months,†he said.
It was then that a long-forgotten desire resurfaced and he heard the call to become a Roman Catholic priest.
Forsythe audited a computer course at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., where he learned how to use a laptop. The experience helped him commit to his decision.
After several rejections due to his age — he was 67 at the time — Forsythe was accepted at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass. In June 2004, he was ordained in Birmingham, Ala.
Becoming a priest has come with a wealth of personal rewards. Forsythe had the opportunity to baptize three of his 13 grandchildren.
Today, he’s eager to return to Tuscumbia and Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church.
Luisa Oswalt, director of Hispanic Ministry for the church, has known Forsythe since he was in seminary. She said it says a lot about him that he chose the path of priesthood when he could be retired and playing golf.
“He is a very strong-willed person,†she said.
One of Forsythe’s daughters, Shirley Frisch, is one of only two of his children to stay in the area. One of his sons lives in Lewisberry. The rest are scattered around the country — from Philadelphia to Miami.
Frisch said she wasn’t surprised when her dad became a priest.
“He was just always very religious,†she said. “I was just grateful that he had something else to do.â€
Jim Grandon sold Forsythe his house in 1964 and has remained close to the family. He admires Forsythe’s commitment to his spiritual quest.
“I think he’s a gentleman that has found peace within himself,†Grandon said.
While Frisch said she has some concerns about how her father will fare back in Alabama, Forsythe thinks he’ll do just fine. He plans to have his minivan outfitted so he can control the gas pedal without using his foot.
“The worst thing you can do is take away independence,†he said.
Forsythe looked back and marked the three periods of greatest happiness in his life: studying in medical school, his marriage and raising his family, and now, his days as a priest.
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