Newtown Mourns The Passing Of Former Fire Chief Dennis Forsyth

NEWTOWN, PA — The community on Thursday paid its final respects to Dennis R. Forsyth, past Newtown Fire Chief and Life Member of the Newtown Fire Association.

Born and raised in Newtown, Forsyth died July 16 at Doylestown Hospital at the age of 70. He was remembered and mourned during services at Saint Andrew Church in Newtown and at the Newtown Cemetery where he was buried.

Forsyth, the brother of Newtown's current chief, Glenn Forsyth, and the son of former fire chief George Forsyth, served with the Newtown Fire Association for more than 52 years. He was named chief in 1989 and served in that capacity for 10 years. Following his tenure as chief, he served as president of the organization for five years.

Past Newtown Fire Chief and Life Member Dennis R. Forsyth.

"As the department increasingly struggled to recruit a stable base of volunteers, his leadership was pivotal in establishing a paid crew, further proving his commitment to the safety of the residents of his beloved Newtown," says his obituary.

Forsyth also worked for the county as a 911 dispatcher, serving as assistant superintendent of operations and finally deputy director of 911 communications. He was instrumental in bringing 911 to Bucks County in 1992 (the first county in the greater Philadelphia area to go live). He was integral to the planning, implementation, and success of the fire box card system, the first computer-aided dispatch program, and the deployment of the Bucks 1 communications vehicle.

He is described in his obituary as "a gentle giant" and one who gave love freely, demanding much of himself and those around him. "In return, he was loved, he was respected, and he was appreciated."

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Newtown Fire Association, 14 Liberty Street, Newtown 18940, or to Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Hospice.