GERALD CARL FORSTNER, JR

Gerald Carl Forstner, Jr. (aka Jerry, aka Hunk), date of birth, January 15, 1942

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., one of the most unique men to ever grace the world went home to Heaven. Jerry passed away at home after a long, courageous battle with cancer surrounded by family and friends. He was 82 years young, born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Gerald Carl Forstner and Kathryn Borling. He is survived by his beloved wife, Libby May Imars Forstner, who captured the heart of “Cleveland’s Most Eligible Bachelor,” his beloved nephew, David Peterson, his beloved friends: Jeff, Faye, Kurt and Brittany Farley, Evan Lewandowski, Renee Hartline, his sons: Gerald Carl Forstner III (aka Tripp), Kurtis Tyler Forstner (aka Ty), his five grandchildren, Vivienne, Ellie, Carter, Cortland and Palmer, his cousin, Gilbert Forstner, his sister, Kathy Jackson, his lifetime partner, Robert Frost, his lifetime friend, Lloyd Shockey, and so many close personal friends! As you can see, friends often became “family.” Jerry’s generous heart was always open to those people who had the courage to keep up with this dynamo of a man. The number of individuals he helped across the decades is innumerable and he was formally recognized multiple times by industries he participated in.

 A keenly intelligent man, Jerry earned a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Case Western Reserve University and a degree in Finance and Accounting from Bowling Green State University. Jerry was nicknamed “The Entrepreneur’s Entrepreneur” and won several awards as Entrepreneur of the Year. He successfully started businesses in eleven different segments of the economy. While his various companies may appear diverse and unrelated (fastener manufacturing, mini storages, automatic screw machines, mortgage banking, car washes, quick oil changes, real estate management, real estate development and construction, insurance, plastic bags, box manufacturing, and ultraviolet-cured coatings), his greatest love and passion was for his alpaca farm named Magical Farms started by he and his wife Libby in 1993 and the entire alpaca industry. Dubbed by one of the original alpaca industry leaders as a “marketing genius,” Jerry’s generosity and volunteerism within the alpaca industry knew no bounds. Jerry was loved and respected by beloved fellow alpaca breeders around the world. One close friend wrote and summed up the feelings of thousands: “Jerry will never be forgotten. Such a beautiful human being. We are honored that he called us his friend. I will not know what to do the next time a baby alpaca is born, and I cannot send Jerry a picture and share my excitement with him.” None of us will forget the thousands of hours he spent at the end of his life attending alpaca shows to spend time with his wonderful alpaca friends and greeting, welcoming visitors, and advocating for a farm he so enjoyed watching grow, Majestic Meadows Alpacas.

Following Jerry’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral. Jerry insisted on cremation saying in typical Jerry form, shared by a good friend from as far back as law school: “I didn’t take up any space when I came into this world, why would I do that once I leave it.” 

In lieu of flowers, Libby is asking for family and friends to make non-profit donations in Jerry’s honor to a wonderful animal shelter near their winter home in Florida, Cape Coral Animal Shelter, 325 SW 2nd Avenue, Cape Coral, Florida, 33991, and if possible, share a typical fun-loving story about Jerry’s escapades with Libby (libby@alpacafarm.com) which his family and friends can share and remember forever. 

Care for Jerry was entrusted to Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 3477 Medina Road, Medina, Ohio.