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Bobby Gerald Foster a/k/a Bob, or more affectionately, Fos’, was born in Wellsville, Ohio on Thursday, Nov 1, 1934. His father Oscar Jack Foster was born in Birmingham, Alabama and his mother Maxine Mary Brown Foster was born in Rayland, Ohio.
Maxine and Oscar had four children: Mary Lou Gurley (deceased), Bobby Gerald, Barbara Jean Porter, Betty Ann Wyatt (deceased). James “Jimmy” Young (deceased) was his half-brother on his mother’s side. Fos’ had six half-siblings on his father’s side, most of whom still live in Ohio: Larry Foster, Lavon Foster, Willy Foster (deceased), Carl Foster, Shirley Carter, Jeri Lee Mahone.
Fos’ graduated from Wellsville High School in 1954 where he and his life-long friend Ceasar Jackson were star football and basketball players. Because of his great skills as a punter, his nickname was The Toe. In fact, Fos’ was the model for a statue, which stills stands in Wellsville today, of a player kicking a football with water coming out of the ball.
Straight out of high school Bob and Ceasar joined the Air Force together and went to basic training at Sampson Air Force base in New York. Fos’ then went into the Navy where he spent 3 years in Rota, Spain and became fluent in Spanish. He famously told many funny stories about the friends he met and things that he did in Spain. After being discharged from the Navy in December 1963 he came to Boston where his siblings and mother had settled.
Fos’ was a unique ‘renaissance man’ in that he had a high level of both technical and artistic skills and abilities. He retired after many years as a tool designer for General Electric Aircraft Engines. He always loved architecture and attended the Boston Architectural College at night.
An all-around multi-talented and multimedia artist, Fos’ could paint or carve anything. His artwork hangs in the homes of families and friends. Bob also played the drums and bongos professionally. He loved Wally’s Café in the South End and used to bring his bongos to sit-in with the band.
Those who know him best say Bob was a very quiet person in high and middle school. Soon after that he discovered that he had something to say, and thereafter loved talking with everyone about current events, sports, music, and family—he developed a special ‘gift of gab’ that will be missed!
Fos’ loved and was dedicated to his family. He had a special long-lasting relationship with his nephew Tyrone Foster and leaves many other nieces, nephews, great nephews and great nieces. He was especially close to his sister Barbara Porter with whom he shared many of life’s ups and downs. Fos’ was a big part of Maria’s family who loved him like a true brother.
He leaves behind his beloved his wife of 36 years, Maria Latimore, his son Bobby “Blue” Ameer Foster and daughter Amara Maxine Foster. We cherish our time with Bob a/k/a Fos’. His special light will continue to shine with us, as his spirit lives within us.
The Bobby Gerald Foster Scholarship fund is being established at The Boston Architectural College. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Bob’s name to:
The Boston Architectural College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 320 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
or online at https://the-bac.edu/giving/make-a-gift
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bobby G Foster, please visit our floral store.