A Celebration Of Life: Martin Foster
FOSTER, Martin David
Gone but not forgotten, at Home now with Jesus.
Born June 6th, 1951 in Ipswich, United Kingdom, passed June 26th, 2021 at Hospice Wellington, Guelph, Ontario.
Beloved Husband of Nancy Foster. Father of Ben Foster, Rebecca Foster (Tyler), Duncan Foster (Anna), Aaron Foster (Nana). Step-father to Jessica Seaton (Zach) and Chad Bricker (Kate). Brother to Tim Foster (Ada) and Sarah Cuff (Chris). Loving Grandfather of 8 grandchildren, Graham, Liv, Ava, Liam, Ira, Journey, Jonesy and Ocean. He will be missed by his extended family and friends both in Canada and the UK.
Martin cherished the memory of his mother Joan Kathleen Westwood, a Queen Alexandra nurse who served in North Africa during World War II where she eventually met his father, Captain Augustus “Gus” Foster. Gus began a courtship with Joan while recovering from polio in hospital where she was stationed and the rest is history.
He carried a passion for psychology, particularly in the Art Therapy field, which he studied at Bristol University in the UK. Martin would go on to work and manage group homes in Ontario, Canada, providing care to individuals in need of family support, shelter and guidance. Eventually he transitioned into a farming career where he worked for many years, managing multiple farms before turning his interest of computers into a new job in the information and technology field working for the same farming company.
A big part of Martin’s life outside of work was devoted to Christian outreach and mission work, where he touched many lives in many countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil and Nicaragua. Throughout retirement, Martin continued this passion by becoming the Executive Director for Hands For Humanity, a non-profit organization in Guelph supporting the development of missionary work in countries throughout the world. He also worked with Tom and Elizabeth Allan at the Hearts for Children Ministry in Guatemala.
When he wasn’t diligently working away in his workshop, (building and painting gnomes), Martin continued his involvement with Art Therapy by volunteering at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph.
An avid lover of art, music and sports, Martin was once passionate for playing the violin, cricket and football/soccer. He always had a keen in interest supporting his local sports teams including the Toronto Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Ipswich Town Football Club.
Martin was one of a kind, always looking out for those in need and will be certainly missed by those who knew him.
If desired, a donation to Hospice Wellington would be greatly appreciated – https://www.hospicewellington.org/donate. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Martin D. Foster in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
