Mark D. Foss

Mark Donald Foss, 86, of Bolton and formerly of East Hartford, loving husband of over 64 years to Jane E. (Gallagher) Foss, peacefully entered into eternal life on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Hartford Hospital with his beloved family by his side. Born in Manchester, NH on September 21, 1937, a son of the late Donald M. Foss and Pauline (Signor) Foss, he had resided in East Hartford for over 30 years prior to moving to Bolton in 2000. Mark attended East Hartford High School and was a proud U.S. Army veteran after the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 40 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford retiring as a Senior Warranty Analyst. He was an avid baseball fan and past President of the Greater Hartford Twilight League. He coached various little league teams in East Hartford in the late 1960s - early1970s, among them, Civitan Little League team. Mark was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and was finally rewarded with a long awaited World Series Championship in 2004.

Mark’s favorite pastime was spending time with his wife, family, and his many dogs over the years. He also enjoyed their yearly summer vacation to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. He traded the ocean for the Connecticut River in East Hartford, they made the trip every single day. It brought him many hours of happiness with Jane and their dog Gabby. He was an avid collector of lighthouses that he proudly displayed all over his home. His military service gave him such a sense of pride being able to serve his country and proudly wore his 8th Infantry Division cap daily.

Along with his devoted wife Jane, Mark is survived by his four children, Donald M. Foss of Bolton, Mary F. Dlubac and her husband Michael of Bolton, James L. Foss and his wife Deborah of Colchester, John F. Foss and his wife Tory of Westerly, RI. His five cherished grandchildren, Ryann, Danielle, Heather, Stephanie, and Amanda. He adored his six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Cameron, Knox, Kai, Amari, and Braydon. And many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Carol Blain of East Hartford.

In closing, a special message to Dad: “You did good Dad, you went from being a “village rat” as you and your buddies called yourselves. You joined the United States Army, did your tour of duty then met the love of your life, Mom. You married, and started your family. You worked tirelessly and put all four of us through private schools. You coached us at various times in our lives at Labor Field in East Hartford. You were the one to bring Mary to have her ears pierced at Bradlees in East Hartford. Each and everyone of the four knew how special we were to you. We lacked for nothing, your love was unconditional. Many opening days of fishing, one in particular, Jim lost a lunker, but that’s a story is for another day. You maintained the homes we lived in, from Connecticut to Ohio. The mower in the pool on Leverich Drive was a story retold often. Red Sox games, Hampton Beach, Cape Cod and “the undertow”, another story to be retold. Wiffle ball on the beach at Hampton, while you and Mary went swimming for hours in the ICE COLD water. I miss you already. I don’t usually speak for others but you were loved more than anyone by Mary, Jimmy, John and myself. It’s hard to raise one child but you and Mom raised four of us. Sunday church followed by Sunday dinner. We would trade it all for one more minute with you, our Dad.”

Funeral service celebrating Mark’s life will be Thursday (June 13, 2024) at 5 pm at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Mark’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday afternoon from 3-5 pm at the funeral home chapel, Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mark’s name may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com