Obituary of Donald Edward Foster

Donald Edward Foster

Honey, Dad, Pop, Grampie, Grandpa

Nov. 27, 1932 – May 20, 2024

With grieving but grateful hearts we sadly announce that our beloved patriarch has * “crost the bar”!  Donald Edward Foster, in his 92^nd year, left his earthly home and embarked on his ultimate hike on Monday, May 20, 2024.  He was born on November 27, 1932 in Athens to Clifford and Nina (Mulvena) Foster and grew up on the Foster farm on Kinch Street,  attending Kinch Street School and Smiths Falls Collegiate Institute.  During these years he honed his baseball skills and  became the star catcher and batter of the Jasper Baseball Team. All the while, he caught the eye of and heart of his sweetheart, one Carole Hitchcock.   Next month they would have celebrated sixty-five incredible years together. Donald and Carole were blessed with three boys, Stephen Edward, Robert James (Terri Harrison), and Andrew Donald (Magda Arango Foster), who were loved beyond measure by their dad who devoted countless hours in hockey rinks, basketball courts, baseball fields, building backyard rinks and igloos, going to carving shows and all things boy!  He was so very proud of them and the fine young men they became espousing all the values he held dear!  And then along came the next Foster generation – the Fabulous Five – finally there was a girl in the family, Jill Leanne Foster (Colton Fox), Stephen’s daughter and the boys – Joshua Andres Foster and Braeden Antonio Foster, Andrew and Magda’s boys and Samuel Donald Foster, and Maxime Robert Foster, Robert’s boys.  These grandchildren were the smartest, the cutest, the most perfect grandkids in the world where he challenged them to wrestle, box, rough house every chance he got as well as giving them impromptu language lessons along the way.  Donald was a machinist by trade able to make any part anyone could possibly need. He was a lifelong student/learner, mastering French, Spanish and German, attending countless courses and even with private tutors to achieve proficiency.  He amassed an extensive library of language books as well as history and military books, a second love.  As well, he loved to travel and he and Carole travelled to Europe seven times, South America six times and their favourite place of all, San Andres fifteen times, making friends and speaking Spanish to his hearts content! Another passion was his love of hiking with friends, especially in the Adirondacks with his hiking buddy, Pierre.  But most of all his claim to fame and what he so loved was his sugar bush and the making of the world’s very best maple syrup, or so his family and friends thought!  Donald also loved his church, his church family, debating politics with any one willing to take him on, and going to auctions with Carole – not so much!  However, as co-owner of Fernie’s Place, he actually did love what went on there.  Donald sadly lost his brother and sister in the last eight months, George (October 2023) and Elizabeth Steacy (March 2024) for whom he mourned.  He has four nephews and one niece - George and Myrna Foster’s children - Albert Foster and Mary Ellen Foster Ferguson  and Howard and Elizabeth Foster Steacy’s children Joel, Peter and Conner Steacy.  His presence will live on in every aspect of our lives – always there, always true, ever strong, always forgiving, always trusting, valuing hard work, honesty and being faithful to each other and to  his Maker!

                        * an excerpt from the poem “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson

                                    Twilight and evening bell,

                                    And after that the dark!

                                    And may there be no sadness of farewell,

                                    When I embark;

                                    For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

                                    The flood may bear me far,

                                    I hope to see my Pilot face to face

                                    When I have crost the bar.

                        “Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.”

Family and friends may pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 112 Beckwith St. N., Smiths Falls on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Newbliss on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church hall.  In memory of Donald, donations to St. Paul’s Anglican Church for the building restoration fund (Cheques payable to: The Anglican Parish of Kitley or by e-transfer to donateparishofkitley@gmail.com) would be appreciated.