Foster, Robert “Bob” - age 94, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2020 after a short hospitalization at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
A longtime resident of West St. Andrews and previously, Stewiacke, Bob was born in Blackburn, England. Together with his parents, Jesse and Gladys, and his brother, Arthur, he immigrated to Canada in 1927, arriving in Halifax aboard Cunard Line’s RMS Scythia.
As a young man, Bob was a member of the militia. Eager to serve his country as WWII unfolded, he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1945 but the war ended before he completed his training. After working as a machinist in the intervening years, Bob rejoined the forces in 1954 as a member of the Canadian Navy were he would spend the next twenty-two years, reaching the position of Chief Warrant Officer, Marine Engineer. He served aboard many of Her Majesty’s most celebrated Canadian vessels including HMCS Bonaventure and HMCS Assiniboine. His basement rec room and bar area (referred to as the rumpus room to the amusement of his grandkids) would come to be filled with souvenirs of his overseas travels with the navy.
In 1947, Bob married Shirley Weaver and started a family that would grow to include two daughters, Brenda and Maureen, and - over the years- three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many cats, several dogs, one skunk and, briefly, a pigeon named Walter. Together, Bob and Shirley enjoyed spending time with friends and family, including many of Shirley’s seven siblings. Card parties were a frequent event but they really went all out for Halloween and costume parties.
Bob was a man of many hobbies. He enjoyed fishing and would often spend whole days following the forest streams of the Stewiacke area, returning home with an impressive catch of trout. He enjoyed picking berries and mayflowers. He became adept at carving, sitting in the kicthen for hours as wood chips accumulated around his chair. Bob was good with his hands and that extended to playing a bit of guitar as well. It was rumoured that he once declined a guitar lesson from Hank Snow, perhaps not realizing the country music star Hank would become.
This talent with his hands would lead to a second career. After retiring from the navy, he completed a precision woodworking course and then turned his garage into a workshop. He began building furniture and kitchen cabinets for friends and family but soon found himself with a steady stream of orders from customers who appreciated his craftsmanship. He often worked with lumber harvested from his own woodlots. Cherry and Oak were his favourites.
For almost thirty years, Bob rarely missed a day in his workshop. As a result, it’s not uncommon for residents of Colchester, East Hants and beyond to spot a bedroom suite or a set of cabinets and recognize the work of Bob Foster. He worked at his craft until he was 82.
Bob will be remembered as a strong man who didn’t need to say a lot, as befitting his British ancestry. He demonstrated his love for his family through his actions and his generosity.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Shirley (Weaver); daughters, Brenda (Richard), Maureen (Terry); grandchildren, Vaughn (Katie), Tyler (Sarah), Breanna (Andrew); and three great-grandchildren, Sierra, Michaela and Camden.
There will be no visitation or funeral at his request.
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