Eric Forish, who has worked for more than half a century at the family company his parents founded 77 years ago, will close Forish Construction and retire by the end of this calendar year.
He began wielding jackhammers and pushing wheelbarrows full of concrete for the Westfield company during summers when he was 16. Eric joined full time after graduating from college in 1979, working his way up from driving heavy dumps and tractor trailers to operating payloaders, backhoes, and dozers. “Dad wanted me to know all the tools so I knew how to manage a jobsite,” he said.
In addition to his success running the company, Eric is currently the longest-serving ABC MA board member, having served as chair in 1996. Two years later he joined the national ABC board, where he remains a member and part of the Budget and Finance Committee.
Leonard Forish, Eric’s dad, was active in ABC MA and encouraged Eric to do the same. Years ago, Leonard was at an ABC national convention when union members came and rocked the buses he and other convention attendees were on. “He was a marine in the Pacific theater during World War II,” Eric said. “He’d seen worse.”
Eric served as ABC MA chairman in 1996 and was president of the Self-Insurance Group for three years. “I can’t say enough about ABC and the role they play supporting the open shop,” he added.
Volunteering was a priority in the Forish family. In addition to his service to ABC, serving as a selectman for six years and a Board of Health inspector for over 30 years in the town where he used to live are among the many examples of his volunteerism.
When asked why he chose to close the business rather than sell it, Eric said, “I did have several unsolicited offers but I decided to turn them down. My family worked very hard over the years to establish a reputation for quality work and high professional standards. I have had many subs tell me that we are the best company they have worked for. We have tight control on our projects and schedules and we pay our bills promptly. I didn’t want to jeopardize the family name by selling.”
Looking ahead, Eric and his wife hope to stay active and enjoy life. They have seven children and 11 grandchildren between them, the latest just born on October 21st.
“I’ve been blessed to have worked together with my dad doing something we both loved,” Eric added. “Now it’s time to move on.”