Foster Kay MD

Foster Kay, 92, of Fall River, MA and Westport, MA, died peacefully surrounded by family on February 16, 2024.

He was born in Fall River, MA on August 10, 1931 to George E. Kay and Hazel H. Kay, who provided him the comfortable upbringing that allowed him to be an adventurous little rascal. He was the brother of the late George E. Kay, Jr. Many of the friendships he made as a child on Rochester Street were ones he maintained and cherished his entire life: Once you were Foster’s friend, you were always his friend. He attended Highland Grammar School and James Madison Morton Junior High School in Fall River, Kimball Union Academy (Class of 1950) in Plainfield, NH, and Middlebury College (Class of 1954) before attending Boston University School of Medicine (Class of 1958). He did his internship and residency at Barnes Hospital at Washington University in Saint Louis, MO, followed by 2 years as a Captain in the United States Army stationed in Straubing, Germany. When he returned to the United States with his wife and infant son in 1962, he did 2 years of Dermatology residency in Boston City Hospital. In 1964 he became a Research Fellow at the New England Medical Center until 1966, and then started a private Dermatology practice in Hamden, CT from 1966 until 2000. He was affiliated with Yale New Haven Hospital and a member of the American Medical Association, the New England Dermatological Society, and the New Haven Medical Association.

He is survived by his son Ronald F. Kay, his wife Barbara B. Kay and granddaughter Madigan B. Kay of Brunswick, ME, his daughter Pamela K. Holler and her husband Jess Holler of Fort Collins, CO, and his daughter Jennifer K. Elsemore, her husband Peter Elsemore and granddaughter Sara Elsemore of Silver Lake, NH.

His children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, and sons-in-law, and his many friends will be forever grateful for the love and support he unconditionally gave them. He will be remembered as a bright and adventurous soul who loved the company of others, was passionate about traveling the world, the arts, opera, and skiing. He maintained a profound love of life right to the end, and he leaves a legacy of kindness and graciousness, accompanied by a remarkable sense of humor. On celebrating his life, he would have said something like—“There better be some tears when folks remember me, but let’s not get carried away! Gather, have a lobster roll, go for a swim at Horseneck beach—enjoy life!”

His family wishes to express their immense gratitude for the wonderful care he received while living at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay and the Hospice care provided by Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Portsmouth, RI. You are all wonderful people and truly appreciated.

A private celebration will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Foster’s name to:

The Westport River Watershed Alliance:

https://www.westportwatershed.org/