Brunswick- Robert E. “Bob” Foster, 81, a longtime Brunswick resident, passed away peacefully at his White Church Lane home, with his devoted family by his side, following a long illness on Friday, October 24, 2014.
Born March 15, 1933, Bob was the son of the late Harold and Helen (Rawlins) Foster Sr. and for over 57 years the husband of Joyce R. (Reckner) Foster of East Greenbush who survives. Bob and Joyce were married on March 17, 1957.
Bob grew up in Troy and attended Troy High School where he was inducted into the Edward C. Picken, Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He later attended the Modern School of Welding in Albany were he earned a certificate as Bridge Certified Welder.
For over 30 years he was employed by Niagara Mohawk in Albany, most recently as a machine operator. He retired in 1993.
Bob enjoyed his Monday nights at the Eagle Mills Fire District #1 fire house, where he was a Life Member, Past Fire Chief and Past Captain of the Fire Police. He was a member of the New York Army National Guard and a member, deacon and involved in the Couples Club at the Brunswick Presbyterian Church.
Once a very active Tamarac Booster Club member, Bob rarely missed any of his children’s or grandchildren’s athletic events. He was a former Boy Scout Leader of Brunswick Troop 527 for several years, involved with Brunswick “Pop Warner” football and coached both Little League and “Babe Ruth”.
As a younger man, Bob played semi-professional baseball with the former Albany Haymakers, was an avid NY Yankees and NY Giants fan, enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and loved going camping with this family.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, Bob is survived by four children, Richard A. (Jennifer Duncan) Foster of Troy, Randy L. (Randy) Foster of Brunswick, Scott H. Foster of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Cindy (Chris) Long of Washington Court, Ohio, a brother, Jim (Rosemary) Foster of Vermont, eight grandchildren, Daniel, Jeanine, Ryan, Ashley, Colton, Marisa, Garett and Taylor, three great-grandchildren, Austin, Kylie and Christopher, several nieces, nephews and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, the late Harold Foster Jr., William Foster and Sandy Devlin, a daughter-in-law, the late Cheryl (Wainwright) Foster and a granddaughter, the late Amber Foster.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 10:00 A.M., at the Brunswick Presbyterian Church, 42 White Church Lane, with Rev. Elizabeth Shen-O’Connor officiating. Burial in Brookside Cemetery and a reception at the Eagle Mills Fire Department Hall will follow. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, October 27, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M.at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to the Eagle Mills Fire District #1, 627 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Robert E. Foster.
Born March 15, 1933, Bob was the son of the late Harold and Helen (Rawlins) Foster Sr. and for over 57 years the husband of Joyce R. (Reckner) Foster of East Greenbush who survives. Bob and Joyce were married on March 17, 1957.
Bob grew up in Troy and attended Troy High School where he was inducted into the Edward C. Picken, Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He later attended the Modern School of Welding in Albany were he earned a certificate as Bridge Certified Welder.
For over 30 years he was employed by Niagara Mohawk in Albany, most recently as a machine operator. He retired in 1993.
Bob enjoyed his Monday nights at the Eagle Mills Fire District #1 fire house, where he was a Life Member, Past Fire Chief and Past Captain of the Fire Police. He was a member of the New York Army National Guard and a member, deacon and involved in the Couples Club at the Brunswick Presbyterian Church.
Once a very active Tamarac Booster Club member, Bob rarely missed any of his children’s or grandchildren’s athletic events. He was a former Boy Scout Leader of Brunswick Troop 527 for several years, involved with Brunswick “Pop Warner” football and coached both Little League and “Babe Ruth”.
As a younger man, Bob played semi-professional baseball with the former Albany Haymakers, was an avid NY Yankees and NY Giants fan, enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and loved going camping with this family.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, Bob is survived by four children, Richard A. (Jennifer Duncan) Foster of Troy, Randy L. (Randy) Foster of Brunswick, Scott H. Foster of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Cindy (Chris) Long of Washington Court, Ohio, a brother, Jim (Rosemary) Foster of Vermont, eight grandchildren, Daniel, Jeanine, Ryan, Ashley, Colton, Marisa, Garett and Taylor, three great-grandchildren, Austin, Kylie and Christopher, several nieces, nephews and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, the late Harold Foster Jr., William Foster and Sandy Devlin, a daughter-in-law, the late Cheryl (Wainwright) Foster and a granddaughter, the late Amber Foster.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 10:00 A.M., at the Brunswick Presbyterian Church, 42 White Church Lane, with Rev. Elizabeth Shen-O’Connor officiating. Burial in Brookside Cemetery and a reception at the Eagle Mills Fire Department Hall will follow. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, October 27, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M.at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to the Eagle Mills Fire District #1, 627 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Robert E. Foster.