With his family at his side Ralph Foster of Goderich passed away peacefully at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital on October 17 at the age of 101. Husband of H. Avice Foster for 38 years, he was predeceased by his first wife Claire Pentland in 1953.
Left to celebrate his life are his children Lynda (Duncan McGregor), Blyth, Barbara (Doug Allemang), Millgrove, and Philip, Clinton and Cathy Bisset-Parkes, Toronto, Susan Bisset, Collingwood, and Jane Wilson (David), Florida. He was ‘Grampy’ to 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and only remaining brother-in-law to Vivian Pentland of North Bay as well as special uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
A direct descendant of pioneer families, Ralph was born on a farm at Sheppardton, third of the four children of Agnes Hawkins and Bert Foster. His widowed mother would remarry in 1928 and move to a Saskatchewan wheat farm where Ralph formed a life-long love for the Canadian west. Returning to Ontario in 1934-35, he took over the Sheppardton farm he would work until 1998.
Three women played an extraordinary role in his life: his first wife Claire who passed away very suddenly in 1953, leaving him with three small children; his mother who then came to live with him and commenced to raise her third family; and Avice who he married in 1979 and with whom he shared many international travels and lively community interests.
Generosity knew no limits with Ralph. He was a life-long faithful member of Christ Church, Port Albert and truly a loved cornerstone within his faith family. His dedication was recognized in 2003 when he received the Bishop’s Award for Excellence in Ministry.
His Sheppardton neighbours recall his limitless dependability for reaching out to lend a helping hand in the community. Recently an old neighbour remarked “Ralph was a saint of a man….I looked up to him as a mentor and as a father-figure”. He also took leadership roles in the wider community whether it was on the GDCI School Board, the Soil and Crop Association, the Benmiller Forresters or the Goderich Lions Club.
Ralph was introduced to curling in Saskatchewan and participated in many tournaments over his lifetime, still cheering on our Canadian teams this past winter. And he loved a good game of cards any time, euchre being his competition of choice!
Music was an integral part of his life. He sang in the church choir for many years and after moving to Goderich he joined the Harbouraires, experiencing the wonderful joy of making music together until his eyesight declined.
But truly his greatest joy was in his children, grandchildren and great-children. Regular family reunions gave ample time to gather and reminisce and share stories. And he had many stories to share, well peppered with humour and sometimes some life lessons. In recent years these stories have been captured in print and on film, establishing permanent records of an articulate centenarian whose memory for detail never dimmed. Truly a wonderful legacy for his descendents.
The family will receive visitors at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home on Friday, October 20 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. The Goderich Lions Club will hold a service at 6:30.
A Service in Celebration of the Life of Ralph Foster will take place at St George’s Anglican Church, Goderich, at 1 pm Saturday October 21, 2017 with refreshments to follow in the Parish Hall .
Cremation will follow with internment of ashes in Dungannon cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Christ Church, Port Albert, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation – Capital Projects, or the Huron Residential Hospice.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Sharron Durst
My sincerest sympathy to Avice & all if Raloh’s Family
Debbie MacAdam
To Avice and Family
So sorry for your loss Ralph was a wonderful man and will be missed by many .
Our sincere condolences to you .
Deb MacAdam and Bill Boak
Bryan Allemang
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Grampa Ralph. Grampy’s sense of humour and sharp wit have charmed many and it was always a pleasure to chat with him, leading to a good laugh. The energy and enthusiasm Grampy always brought to family gatherings truly cemented his place at the centre of this family.
We so admire the life experiences that he shared with us. One of the big take aways we have of watching him and hearing of his many stories was his way with people. His good-natured, respectful and kind way with folks was evidenced by all the people who attended his birthday parties, say hello when out on the town and at church and those who were so eager to help he and GG (Avice) any way they can.
We will hold dear the moments that we got with Grampy. He truly had some of the best hugs in the business, and we cherish each one that we got.
We are so grateful that Grampy got to spend time with Katherine, to see her grow and change, to hold her in his arms, hear her laugh, have her hold his finger and on our most recent visit Katherine give some great high fives! What a legacy Grampa has created of wonderful, kind, loving and patient kids, grandkids and great grandkids. We are so pleased that we call ourselves his family.
We will truly miss you Grampy, but know that your memory lives on and will continue to be a beautiful and big presence at future family gatherings. High five and big hugs.
Our thoughts are with Nana, Uncle Phil, Auntie Lyn, and Mum today as you celebrate Grampy’s remarkable life and exemplify his legacy of love, family, and community.
All our love,
Bryan, Laura & Katherine
Tim and Theresa Weir
Dear Avice and family. Our sincerest sympathy in the passing of Ralph. Tim and I, my sister Sharon and my cousin Carol visited you and Ralph on July 11, 2017. This was Tim and my first meeting of you and Ralph and it is one we still talk about to this day. The pictures I took and the video of Ralph and I will forever be cherished in my memory. I’m truly honoured and proud to talk about my “second” cousin Ralph Foster to all my cousins here in Western Canada. May God offer you his love and support during this difficult time. God Bless.
Jamie and Brenda Pentland
Our deepest condolences to all of Uncle Ralph’s family. Aunt Sandy contacted us today with the sad news that Uncle Ralph had passed away. We didn’t get to visit too often but when we did see Uncle Ralph he was always a joy to talk to.
Cliff and Penny Murray
Christ Church in Port Albert mourns the loss of our dearly loved Ralph, our oldest member. We will miss his love of life, his love of Christ Church and neighbour, his laughter and his talking watch. We will deeply miss his presence at church but look forward to seeing him again in the presence of our Lord.
Kurt and Samantha Lentz
Grampy and Nana… we love you both dearly. Our deepest condolences to you Nana, Mum, Uncle Phil, and Auntie Barb.
Grampy was inspirational in so many ways. He had the best sense of humor and always had a quick- witted comeback to any sarcasm I would hand him. After our first encounter, I knew I had found kindred spirit in him. His heart was big, full of love and joy. He warmly welcomed me into his beautiful family, which I now have the privilege of being apart of the legacy he created. His love will carry on through us and our children.
Love you all,
Kurt, Samantha, Gavin, Maverick, and Avea
Patricia Spence
Dear Avice: Our thoughts are with you and the family at this time. You and Ralph had a wonderful 38 years together and I know you will miss him terribly. He was a very kind and gentle man.
Bob & Pat Spence
Calla Spencer
Ally, Michael, Hilary and Avice,
Our most sincerest condolences on the loss of your grampa and husband. From everything Ally has told us, he sounded like a wonderful, loving “grampie”. We know it will be a difficult time but if there’s comfort in anything, he had a wonderful long life with all of you in it.
Thinking of you all,
Calla Spencer and Brandon James
Joyce (Matthews) Black
Sincere sympathy to the entire family in the loss of a gentleman who was always kind and smiling when you met him. He will be missed by his family and friends who have enjoyed his compassion and love for his 100 plus years. A wonderful age for an active man who enjoyed life. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Jeff Ward
Dear Barb,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the death of your dad. Peace and blessings to you and your family.
Love, The Revs. Sue-Ann and Jeff Ward+
Ron Vanderlinde
What a classy tribute to a classy gentleman.
My parents have known Ralph and Avice for many years since days on the farm, and my dad still remembers them both very fondly. Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
Ron Vanderlinde, Richmond Hill
Bill Vanderlinde, Goderich
Delbrt Shewfelt
My Condolences to Avice and family. What a gentleman Ralph was and just an all around nice guy and what a great life he lived. May he RIP
Carol Andrew
Dear Lynda, Barb and Phillip – Bob and I unfortunately have a previous commitment this weekend, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I will remember Uncle Ralph greeting us on the Square whenever we might cross paths, a welcome hug always. He was an amazing man leaving you with great memories to always treasure. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at this sad time. Love and hugs, Carol And Bob.
Elizabeth Brooks
Linda, Barb & Phillip:
Norma emailed this morning notifying me of Uncle Ralph’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. I have many memories of this handsome man who I was lucky to have had as an uncle. Unfortunately due to distance and an appointment in Sudbury for Ken to see the cardiologist we are unable to be with you in person but know I am in my thoughts.
Love to each of you.
Liz & Brooks
Evaline Schultz ( Lyster )
Dear Avice and family
I was sorry to hear of ” Uncle” Ralph’s passing and I send my deepest sympathy. I am sad for myself too, he was the last connection I had to my Mother’s generation and my grandfather Foster.
I send my thoughts and prayers to all of you on Saturday.
As ever Evaline.
Lethbridge. AB.
Joan and Floyd Campbell
The world had lost one of the most inspirational men we have ever known, however heaven has gained another angel. May he rest in peace.