Whitman and Marblehead...

Ronald Forand, 67, of Whitman Massachusetts, passed away suddenly on February 3, 2015 at his home. Ron was born February 25, 1947, in Barton, Vermont, and graduated from Franklin High School (NH) in 1965. A talented athlete in his youth, he played baseball, basketball, and football.

Ron earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire, completing his studies in 1973. He enjoyed a long career as a research and development biochemist, and held several patents for laboratory processes. Early in his career, he was employed by Collaborative Research in Waltham, which later became Genome Therapeutics Corp. For nearly 35 years, he was employed by Biomedical Technologies in Stoughton, from which he only recently retired.

He had been planning to move to Marblehead to spend time with family and enjoy his life long love of the sea. He enjoyed reading, bowling, fishing, and gardening, and was an excellent cook. He also volunteered for and supported many charities, including AMVETS and various environmental groups.

Ron is survived by his daughter Amy and her husband, James Weed, and their sons Benjamin and Matthew Weed of Marblehead, and his former wife, Patricia (McHale) Forand of Maynard, MA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard and Isabel (Laramie), his siblings Richard, Lorraine, and most recently, his twin brother, Donald E. Forand (2013).

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Our Lady Star of The Sea Church, 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, Massachusetts. As requested there are no visiting hours. Burial will be held privately. Arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. For additional information or online guest book please call 781 631 8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.