James J. Foster Sr

James Joseph Foster, Sr., 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, RI. He led an active and full life. He enjoyed his stay there and when he became incapacitated in July 2020, he was lovingly cared for by their compassionate medical personnel. He loved everyone there and they loved him.

Born in Pawtucket, RI, he was the son of the late Sarah Elizabeth McKitchen Foster and Edward Ambrose Foster. During World War II, at 18, he enlisted in the Army and enrolled in flight school with the Army Air Corps, which preceded the Air Force, training as a fighter pilot. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He earned his living as a software engineer in the 1950’s, when computers were in their infancy to his retirement in the early 1990’s. After retiring he moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he lived at the Island Green golfing community, happily and daily playing his golf game, going for long walks, enjoying his natural surroundings. He was his own caddie and insisted on carrying his golf bag for exercise. He was gregarious and a good conversationalist, telling family stories often. Everyone who met him enjoyed his company. He frequented the local restaurants, sampling the local cuisine and enjoyed meeting people. He was an avid health advocate and maintained his independence until the age of 92.

James leaves behind his children: Eileen Mayhew and her husband, Peter, Lynn Semko and her husband, Rick, Mary MacGillivary and her husband, Stan, James J. Foster, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth. He also leaves behind his sister, Margaret Foster Haslam, 92, five grandchildren, Naomi Foster Dubiel and her husband, Mike, Jason Foster and his wife Christy, Patrick Mayhew, Kelly Semko, Jason Semko, Dave Dresser and his wife, Tracy, as well as six great grandchildren, Eva Gilbert, Olivia Gilbert, Jake Mayhew, Molly Dresser, Delia Dresser and Sam Dresser.

In death, James is reunited with his parents, Sarah and Edward, his first spouse, Mildred Ward Hennessey, his spouse of forty years, Dolores McAdams Foster, his sister, Claire Foster Ormsby, his granddaughter, Shelley Ann Mayhew and his brother Edward Francis Foster.

Due to covid-19 restrictions, services will be private. His life will be celebrated by family and friends when it is safe to do so.

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