Clifford James "Pete" Foster

Pete was born on April 17, 1932 to the late Arthur & Laura Foster (LaBelle) in Emo, Ontario and resided in the area for most of his life.

Pete grew up within his parents’ businesses which included owning tourist camps on Clearwater Lake, Ontario where he guided and “paddled” tourists long distances before they owned outboard motors and his forearms and hands were proof.

They also owned a service station in Emo, Ontario where he learned at an early age his passion for mechanics. He worked side-by-side with his dad and older brother Don Sr., where he gained his skills and knowledge of what he was known for in this district, his mechanical genius. In 1955 he received his Red Seal Mechanics Journeyman’s tickets in Automotive Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician and Truck and Coach Mechanic which he used very actively and generously far and wide throughout his years up until his death.

Pete’s other greatest joy went hand-in-hand with his mechanical abilities, a truck driver. Although Pete did work for the local mill in Fort Frances for a brief time his true love was to work in the bush.

He drove truck for many contractors throughout his career, beginning early in life, hauling gravel and many loads of wood which he truly enjoyed. That was his life’s passion.

His last place of employment before he retired just a few years ago was for Leon DeGagne Ltd. where he enjoyed his employment as a trucker and mechanic for over 20 years. Pete enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship that he found with his co-workers and he made many, many friends during his career as a mechanic and trucker.

This trait he passed on to both his sons as they were both blessed with being natural mechanics and truck drivers. After his retirement Pete took great pride and pleasure and enjoyed many hours working alongside his son Darcy, guiding him along when he bought his own trucks and built his own shop, Constant Trucking. Life had come full circle.

Pete was very close with his family and enjoyed passing on his love of camping, hunting and fishing and being in the outdoors to his 2 sons as they grew. They enjoyed many years as a family camping at Pearson’s Landing on Red Gut Bay and he still camped there up until last summer. He also enjoyed many years of hunting with his sons at “Wayne’s World” on Cedar Narrows Road with the guys.

Pete’s father also passed onto him a passion for curling which he was active in during his early years and rediscovered by participating each year in Stratton’s annual Trucker’s & Logger’s Bonspiel, which he thoroughly enjoyed, up until his health declined a few years ago. He also enjoyed speed which he took joy in riding his Harley Davidson and driving his stock car at the Emo races in his younger years. He also enjoyed hockey and was a goalie back in the day, and then enjoyed watching his sons and his grandsons follow in his footsteps playing this sport.

Pete made many, many friends far and wide throughout his years and cherished each and everyone one of them. He always had a joke ready and was very quick witted. He could be found at the coffee tables with the guys anywhere in town. He was a very generous man and was happy to help anyone out and would give you the shirt off his back. He was a very well-respected man as a mechanic, trucker and his many friends and family will miss him.

On August 25, 1962 Pete married the love of his life Doris Edberg who predeceased him and together they raised their two sons. They ventured out of the district briefly at different times in their 47 years of marriage living in Geraldton, Ontario, Kelowna, BC and Ear Falls, Ontario, but Fort Frances was always their home which they made at their Crowe Avenue residence until the recent passing of his wife.

Pete leaves behind his two sons, Darcy (Connie) and Scott, all of Fort Frances, Ontario and his grandchildren, Darren (Alice) of Terrace Bay, Ontario and Carly of London, Ontario, and Julia and her son Damon, and Dusten of Fort Frances, Ontario. He also leaves behind his sisters Dorothy (Bill) Breadner of Kenora, Ontario, and Eve (Dan) MacLean of Guelph, Ontario, his sister’s-in-law Millie Whitefield and Evelyn O’Connell of Fort Frances, Lillian Stone and Virginia (Bob) LaBelle of International Falls, MN and many nieces, nephews and very close friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Doris on July 14, 2009, his father Art and mother Laura, brother Don Sr. and sister in-law Joan, his brother’s-in-law Don Holmgren, Pat O’Connell, Reginald Whitefield and Ray Stone.

Pete’s final wishes were no funeral service but to be cremated and have his ashes put to rest beside his beloved wife in Fort Frances, Ontario. A private family viewing was held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Green’s Funeral Home. Interment of his ashes will held be at a later date.

If friends so desire donations can be made to Tamarack House in Thunder Bay, Ontario.