Norwich, Vermont & Chicago, Illinois

Brad Forcier, 53, died Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at his mother's home in Quechee, Vermont. He was born on August 29, 1965 at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, Hanover, New Hampshire, son of Dr. R. Jackson Forcier and Polly (Mary) Forcier. He grew up in Norwich, Vermont, attended the Marion Cross Elementary School in Norwich, Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, New Hampshire, and graduated class of 1983 from Hanover High School, Hanover, New Hampshire. He earned a BA from Castleton State College.

Following time spent on a crew building his parents' new home, Brad moved to Chicago to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology where he graduated with a master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. He worked for the London House division of GDIT; for IPAT, the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing; and for Wonderlic for many years. He ended his career as a Senior Consultant for General Dynamics Information Technology.

He had great appreciation for the architecture, music, culture and excitement Chicago had to offer. He was an enthusiastic tour guide and loved best that his guests also experienced what he loved most about his adopted home. Brad was happiest when he could be encouraging, supportive, bolstering, teaching and engaging people; finding in others the light they could not see in themselves. For several years he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Asheville NC.

From a young age he exhibited an interest in music and in playing guitar (strange, coming from a non-musical family) where he was sent to the barn to practice with a friend, another beginning player. However, his interest continued and he attended a summer course at Berklee College of Music in Boston which further informed his budding musical prowess. His avocation and passion after work in Chicago became playing guitar, humor, teaching and learning from and forming friendships with like-minded musicians. Brad was on the Chicago music scene for 28 years. His bands included Daughter and Volt 88. He performed on some of the most legendary Blues stages including Kingston Mines and Buddy Guys Legends. The Chicago Blues scene was his hub and where he made so many lifelong friends.

Almost eight years ago he met Nicola Groark. They became a musical team. Both have composed and recorded lyrics and music. They have been married nearly 2 years. Nicola was his loving and dedicated caregiver and champion throughout chemotherapy and his life. They established a website delineating the course of treatment, sharing their research and giving encouragement through holistic practices: beatingtheodds.live.

Brad was predeceased by his father, Dr. R. Jackson Forcier and his paternal grandparents, Homer and Frances Forcier, and maternal grandparents, Ken and Mary Hill. He is survived by his wife, Nicola Groark Forcier, his mother, Polly (Mary) Forcier and her husband, Jack Nelson, his sister Vivian Forcier Bisbee (David), his brother Kenneth Forcier; nieces Laura Bisbee Condega (Wilberth), Mary Bisbee, and nephews Jackson and Dean Forcier; uncles Lawrence Forcier (Anne) of Burlington and James Forcier (Dion) of New London and many cousins. Friends and classmates from the Upper Valley have sent him remembrances, the common theme is of caring, fun, a little devilment, understanding, being in the present, a gentle, kind soul. More than one spoke of "life changing" moments because of his friendship. Keep the stories coming, they are so wonderful!

Those wishing to donate in Brad's memory may give to: PANGEA (Esophageal Cancer Research) : Western Medicine. Checks may be made payable to the "University of Chicago Medicine" and sent to the following address: University of Chicago, c/o Ellen Clarke for PANGEA, 130 East Randolph Street Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60601. ECAA (Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association) : Holistic Medicine. St. Jude's Hospital . or a charity of one's own choosing.

A celebration of thanksgiving for and in memory of Brad's life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church , 7 Church Street, Woodstock, Vermont on Saturday, December 15 at 11:00 am, the Reverend Leon Dunkley officiating.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont. An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com