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Family Members Dispute Man’s Cause Of Death

Family members are expressing their sadness and frustration after the unexpected passing of a dedicated West Ellicott man who was “very well loved.”

Patricia Webb of Mesa, Ariz., said the death of her stepfather, Robert G. Forsberg Sr., was due to an ailing heart — not COVID-19. Webb said the first attack, which the family recently learned about, was mild and occurred on Nov. 10. Two days later, her stepfather had a second heart attack causing him to fall and break three ribs.

Forberg was rushed to UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown and tested for the virus. Even though the result came back as positive, the family is adamant that the heart condition was the key factor.

“By then, his heart was already failing him,” Webb said, noting Forsberg had quadruple bypass surgery 25 to 30 years earlier. “So there was nothing that they could do to stop his heart from failing. It had nothing to do with COVID. Nothing.”

Forsberg, who the Health Department listed as the 16th Chautauqua County COVID-19 death, passed early Tuesday morning in the hospital. Lind Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Webb spoke with pride about the Korean War veteran, who served honorably as a paratrooper. He also loved to hunt. “He was an avid hunter,” she said. “So he was very fit and very active. Up until he was probably in his late 60s he was out in the woods all the time hunting.”

Forsberg, who was married to Diane Forsberg for 30 years, was a longtime employee and retiree of Cummins Engine. When he was not hunting, he was a walker, he golfed and fished — and at one time owned a boat.

Webb said she plans to reach out to the Chautauqua County Health Department regarding its classification. “This is not right,” she said. “People are scared enough of this virus to have this kind of information going around.”

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