James Leon Foster

Jimmy was born November 20, 1936 to the late Leon and Ethel (Blackstone) Foster of Freeport, Maine.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ruthie Foster; his brother Roland Foster; four daughters, Janet Foster and her partner Roger Bouchard, Jamie and her husband Richard Herrick, Jean and her husband Elliot Mead, and Jane and her husband Phillip Leonard; three step-children, Scott his wife Karen Harlow, Dawn and her husband James Karszes, and Mark and his wife Susan Harlow; 9 grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many cousins. He is predeceased by his half-brother, Auldis Foster, and half-sisters, Ruth Bryant and Phyllis Dressler.

Jimmy lived in Freeport most of his life before moving to Auburn. He was a hard-working man who often held two or more jobs at a time. He worked for the Freeport Public Works Department and at Eastland Shoe as a machinist in the stitching room. He became a skilled hand sewer working for Village Shoemaker and other local shoe shops before working at LL Bean until retirement.

In his younger years he loved camping, hiking, and snowmobiling. Later he turned to motorcycles and trucks. Jimmy loved tinkering on engines, chopping firewood, and watching NASCAR. He also loved to drive. He would randomly roam the State frequently stopping to see family and friends. After losing his vision from diabetes, Ruthie took over at the wheel. They spent many hours on the road together. But most of all, he loved talking with people. He had the “gift of gab”. He had many, many friends and was finding new ones all of his life. As time passed, many close friends passed but he never forgot them. His friends are many and his stories plentiful.

His children, step-children and grandchildren adored him, as he was their role model and their rock. He was a stoic man who didn’t complain, but always figured out a way to get things done or make them better. His four daughters have loved being identified as “one of Jimmy’s girls” for their entire lives.

Seventeen years ago he won a battle with stage 4 melanoma by participating in a medical research study under the direction of his hero, Dr. Frederick Aronson, after traditional cancer treatments proved ineffective. Over the years Dr. Aronson has used Jimmy’s medical records to further promote these cancer fighting drugs. As a result of Jimmy’s courage and strong will, and Ruthie’s constant care, his family and friends benefited from 17 additional years with him.

Donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.

Calling hours will be on Friday, May 27th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist Funeral Home,1 Mayberry Ln, Yarmouth.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m.at the Pownal Congregational Church, Hallowell Rd, Pownal, Maine.

On-Line condolences can be given to the family at www.lindquistfuneralhome.com.