Obituary of William Foster

Niskayuna- William E. Foster formerly, of Niskayuna passes away peacefully at home Thursday January 28, 2010. William was born December 4, 1926 in Bennington, VT to the late Frank E. Foster and Nina Cadoret Foster. While he was still an infant, his mother died. In 1930, his father married Agnes White Foster. Bill was the devoted husband of Mary Emmet Foster, a high school classmate who he married on August 20, 1950. They recently celebrated 59 years together. Bill graduated from Walter A. Wood High School in Hoosick Falls, NY in June, 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged as a Mineman 3rd Class in 1946. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1951 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation, he joined the General Electric Company in its Test Engineering training program. After several product test assignments in a number of departments, he joined the newly formed Manufacturing Training Program. After three years of evening study and work assignments in manufacturing, he joined the Value Analysis unit in the Large Steam Turbine-Generator Department. Bill's career with GE included positions in the turbine, radio, transformer, television, plant facilities and foundry businesses. Hs assignments included Unit Manager in the radio manufacturing factory, Purchasing Agent for the Erie Foundry and Contracting Agent in the Power Systems Purchasing function. He retired in 1986.Bill loved the out-of-doors. When his sons were young, he encouraged them to take part in Boy Scout activities and for several years he served as cub master and scout master. Although family and work demands prevented him from staying active in the Scouting program, he never lost interest. Work out-of-doors kept him busy many evenings and weekends. Cultivating a small vegetable garden, tending the flowers, keeping the lawn and shrubs in good shape were all tasks that he really enjoyed. He had projects going in the cellar year round. Repairing, cleaning and refinishing anything made of wood gave him much satisfaction. The piece did not have to be an antique (although that was a plus). To him, the fun was in the fixing and the smile of the owner when the job was finished. He also spent time as a literacy volunteer. Another love was fishing. There were years when opportunity to fish was pretty much limited to one week each summer. But when he retired, one day a week was set aside for trout fishing and specifically fly fishing on the Battenkill. Coupled with the fishing during the one-day-a-week trips were visits to old and new friends. Bill enjoyed talking to anyone he met. He visited old friends from periods throughout his life. He often stopped to talk to other fishermen, people walking along a country road or someone just sitting in the shade next to his or her home. He enjoyed their stories and he enjoyed learning a little about their lives. Bill was a devoted and loving father. In addition to his wife Mary, Bill is survived by their five sons and spouses: Timothy Edward and Ellen of Villanova, PA; Mark Emmet and Penelope of Glenville, NY; Frank Matthew and fiancé Rose McCurry of Whitesboro, NY; Robert William and Kathryn of Lakeville, MN, and Michael John and Naiyre of Kinnelon, NJ. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 2 great grand children: Joshua, James, William, Eric, Amanda, Michael, Mary, Anna, Patrick, Izayah and Ivalyss Foster. Also surviving are 6 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Agnes and his brother Richard (Tink). Funeral Service Monday afternoon 12:15 from the Daly Funeral Home 242 McClellan Street and 1:00 at St. John the Evangelist Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours Sunday afternoon 4 to 6 at the funeral home. Interment St. John's Cemetery Schaghticoke, NY. Memorial Contributions may be made to Schenectady City Mission or the Red Cross.