Harold Edward Foster (Ted) passed away peacefully in Salmon Arm, BC on January 16th, 2013 with family at his bedside. Ted will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Marion, and by his six children: Anita (Frank), Ron (Debbie), Cec (Kisshelle), Rose (Gary), Marilyn (Robin), and Marina (Alan). Grandpa will be greatly missed by his ten grandchildren: Doug (Kirsten), Vanessa (Mike), Adam, Lindsay, Robert, Susan, Evan, Jilaine, Sarah, and Kissandra and by his six great-grandchildren – Alyssa, Alden, Hazel, Logan, Xander, and Zoe. He is survived by his sister Kathleen (Len) Stusrud of 100 Mile House BC.
Ted was born in One-Four, Alberta in 1932. He was one of eight children (Mabel, Jim, Bob, Sarah, Bill, Bert and Kay) born to Evelyn and Bert Foster. He was nicknamed Teddy by his beloved Aunt Mabel and a shortened form of the name stuck so, he was known to almost everyone as Ted. He spent his childhood on the prairies of southern Alberta and his youth in the foothills in the Cowley-Pincher Creek area. He never lost his deep appreciation of the foothills and mountains that surrounded him as he grew up and that connection to the land stayed with him for life. He also developed a love of animals and there was rarely a time when some adoring pet cat, or dog or bird was not by his side.
In the 1950’s he left Pincher Creek and started a career in the oil patch. He was a mechanic and a seismic and water well driller in Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. It was while he was on one of his first assignments that he met his wife, Marion Cooper, in Mankota, SK and they married on October 29, 1956. They spent their early years together moving with his job, finally settling back in Mankota, SK as their family grew to include five children. In 1965, Ted and Marion moved to Calgary, AB where he worked in the seismic industry and for the City of Calgary and where their sixth child was born. In 1973, the family moved to Hinton, AB when Ted took a job at Cardinal River Coal. His dream was always to live in BC’s interior and in 1975, he and the family relocated to Sicamous, BC. When he retired, Ted and Marion moved back to Calgary but they eventually decided that city life was not for them and went back to calling Sicamous home.
Family and friends were the most important thing in life to Ted. He was reserved, sometimes gruff, often funny, and always decent and kind. He was strong and determined and one friend describes him as having “the toughest exterior I ever saw on a Teddy Bear.” He was generous and was always there for his friends - to lend an ear, or perhaps a few dollars, or to deliver some well-considered advice when asked.
He was an enduring source of strength and wisdom for his family who benefited from his unwavering love and steadfast support. To us, his family, he was an everyday hero who just quietly got on with the business of living and looking after us; never asking for or expecting accolades or rewards. We will miss him dearly.
True to his generous nature, Ted has donated his body to science to help generations to come. In accordance with his wishes, no funeral service will be held. The family will be having a day of memory for him in the future. Thank you to Dr. Bonthuys, Curtis Horne, the Bastion Place Staff, and the Home care staff, especially Colleen, for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to an SPCA Humane Society or Veteran’s charity of your choice. To send condolences go to www.remembering.ca