Charles H. Forselius, founder and owner of Advanced Overhead Door Company, started in the garage door business as a very young man. Fresh out of the Navy, he began working for Overhead Door Corporation in 1963, and continued on to opening his own business.

The doors of his very small rented office space opened on February 16, 1986 in Branford, Connecticut. He purchased two pick-up trucks and utilized a small company in Nashua, New Hampshire called Fimbel Door Company for doors and parts. He freighted all materials back and forth from New Hampshire on his pick-up truck.

Merely two years later business was booming, and Chalres realized he could no longer operate on his own. A small ad ran in the paper and he hired a service technician and installer to assist him in getting the job done. As business picked up, Charles realized that he was out-growing his small office space, so in 1988 he purchased an 18,000 square foot building in Branford, Connecticut to house all of his inventory and trucks. With the new location, additional employees and growing number of customers, Charles’ reputation began to grow.

Business was better than ever, and this was reinforced in 1989 when the Overhead Door Corporation offered to give Charles his own franchise to buy only their products. Charles new the superior quality of the product and the reputation of the “Red Banner” and saw yet another great opportunity.  After seeking legal advice, he signed a contract with Overhead Door Corporation, and business began to grow even faster. More and more service men and installers were hired and trucks were purchased. Advanced Overhead Door was now receiving trailor loads of doors manufactured by the Overhead Door Corporation in Lewistown, PA on a weekly basis.

Advanced Overhead Door grew from a small “mom and pop” operation to one of the most reputable garage door companies in all of Connecticut. The staff ranges from 30-40 employees, with the main office still located in Branford, Connecticut and a satellite office and showroom in Fairfield, Connecticut.  All of the business moves and decisons that Charles made proved to be very wise and profitable ones.

Unfortunately, after 44 years in the garage door business, Charles lost his five-month battle with cancer, and passed away on March 12, 2007.

Advanced Overhead Door continues to run just as successful as ever, with Charles’ wife, Donna Forselius, assuming role of President. Donna has been working side-by-side with Charles since he went into business in 1986. In addition, Charles two children, Gina and Paul, are also involved in the business today. The family plans to carry on Charles’ legacy and his business, and continue to service and install for our loyal customers across the state of Connecticut.