Forrest A. Helvie, 70, Macomb

MACOMB – Forrest A. Helvie, age 70, of Macomb, passed away on June 14, 2025, at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Forrest was born on January 6, 1955, in Gouverneur to the late Mack R. Helvie, Sr. and Maryann A. (Newell) Helvie.

He graduated from Gouverneur Central School in 1973 and married Gale E. Emrich on July 23, 1977.

Forrest began working for Conway Studio in Gouverneur right out of high school and later bought the business, re-naming it Conway-Helvie Studio. He was a professional photographer for 25 years. In 1998 he closed the business.

He began working for the Town of Macomb Highway Department in 1999, after helping out during the Ice Storm of 1998. He worked there as a Motorized Equipment Operator for 18 years before his retirement.

Forrest was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting the elusive morel mushroom since he was four years old, deer hunting, fishing, and starting the plants for Gale’s garden.

He cut trails and firewood, and had a knack for sharpening a chainsaw. His knowledge of the land, plants, and animals was astounding.

When Forrest was interested in a subject, he learned everything he could.

He is survived by his wife, Gale Helvie, two sons, Derek Helvie and his wife, Leigh, and Stuart Helvie, two grandchildren, Connor and Eloise, his sister, Linda Campbell, brothers, Mack “Russ” Helvie, Jr. and Newell Helvie, his mother-in-law, Eloise Emrich, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a bonus son, Paul French.

Donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York NY 10016 or the Center for Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, Physician’s Office Building, Suite 805, 725 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210, in honor of the kidney donation that Forrest received.

There will be no public calling hours.

Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur.

Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

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