Brewer - Norman A. Foster, 86, husband of the late Barbara A. (Nelson) Foster, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2020. He was born January 17, 1934, in Brewer, son of Ralph M. and Mattie L. (Frost) Foster.
Norm graduated from Brewer High School in 1952. In 1954, he married Barbara, his high school sweetheart. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before her passing in 2016. The two first resided in Key West, FL, where Norm was stationed with the United States Navy as an Electrician. When his tour ended, they returned home to the Brewer area and welcomed their two children, Terrance and Ann.
Norm had a gift for focusing on the bright side of life, and he was known for flashing his characteristic thumbs-up sign for anyone who needed it. He loved to chat and was always ready to lend an ear. Quite the handyman, Norm was always puttering. He took pride in caring for his home and his family. He delighted in following the milestones of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who he loved dearly.
Norm was a dedicated technician and Union Member of the IBEW Local 2327 for New England Telephone and retired after 40 years of service. After retirement, he worked part-time for US Customs. In that role, his warm smile greeted many travelers visiting the state that he loved. Norm had his private pilot license, and he enjoyed many hours flying around the countryside and occasionally touching down on the surrounding lakes. In their later years, Norm and Barbara enjoyed day trips to the coast or wherever the car would take them.
Norman is survived by his two children: his son, Terrance Foster, and wife, Katie, of North Carolina, and his daughter, Ann Szylvian, and husband, Frank, of Brewer. He is also survived by two sisters: Marlene Howard of Florida and Barbara Scott of New Hampshire. Norm was an adoring "Gramps" to his four adult grandchildren: Matthew, Chadwick, Sally, and Pearl. He was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Joseph, James, William, Ezra, Everett, and Asa. Norman was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara, his parents, and eleven of his siblings: Thelma, Flora, Dorothy, Lillian, Maxine, Isabelle, Arno, Eleanor, Ralph, Mary, and his twin, Norma.
The family extends its thanks to Ellen Leach Senior Living for the many friendships formed there and to the compassionate staff of Westgate Manor for the care they provided to Norman, with a special note of gratitude to Dr. Sherry Anderson. A Celebration of Life and Internment to Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor, will be held on a date and time to be announced in the Spring.