Obituary of Lester E. Foster

CHERRYFIELD Lester E. Foster, 88, died peacefully at home after a short illness on September 8, surrounded by love. He was born in Cherryfield on March 26, 1927, to Ira and Myrtle (Willey) Foster. He grew up in Cherryfield, attended local schools and would have been a member of the Cherryfield Academy class of 1944. In the closing days of WWII he was part of the U.S. Army of Occupation stationed in Germany as a corporal in the Military Police. He was quietly proud to have been chosen as a guard on a trip using Hitler’s captured private train to carry over a million dollars in Nazi plundered Hungarian gold bullion from Germany back to bankrupt Budapest in 1946. Mr. Foster worked for various road construction firms for over six decades, starting with W.H. Hinman in the 40s. In the mid-50s he worked for Morrison-Knudson on the building of Pease Air Base in NH. He spent a total of over 25 years with the Bridge Construction Company of Augusta and later Morse Construction in Cherryfield. He continued working until his 80s, first with Cherryfield Foods and finally Jasper Wyman and Sons for whom he’d worked as a teenager more than 70 years earlier. He prized friends, laughter, honesty and work well done. He loved gardening, a well-kept lawn and the community of Cherryfield. He was predeceased in 2004 by his wife of 59 years, Rebecca (Sproul). He is survived by his devoted second wife, Cherry (Dobbins) of Cherryfield and his son Joseph of Wells. In addition, he is mourned by two step-children, Beth Tomko and husband Travis of Delray Beach, FL and Jason Bartlett and wife Danielle and their daughter, Madison, the apple of Lester’s eye, of Gorham. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Bucci, of Canton, MA, and Mrs. Roberta Beal of Cherryfield, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to the many friends and relatives who visited with Lester in his last few days. He was deeply touched by the outpouring of love and the time to laugh and reminisce with each of them. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherryfield Academy Restoration Fund in his name. Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.