Raymond Leroy Foster

In Loving Memory of Raymond L. Foster September 17, 1908 – February 4, 2014 Raymond L. Foster, born on September 17, 1908, passed away on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 where he resided in Saint Cloud FL. He and his sister, Theodora, were born and raised in Munnsville, NY by his parents, Earnest and Alice Foster, where they owned and operated a dairy farm. Mr. Foster was predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth who passed in 2003. He is survived by his loving daughters, Deborah Glaser (Bruce), Elaine McCusker (Mike), and Betty Albers; grandchildren, Kelly Warren, Patrick McDonnell, Kimberly Bardeschewski (John), Scott Trent, Amy Albers, Heidi Albers and Taya Albers; twelve great-grandchildren, and cherished nieces, and nephews. In his childhood, Ray was up at 4:00 AM each day, helping his dad milk the cows before breakfast and school. He said his school in Munnsville looked just like the school on Little House on the Prairie. Ray’s mother and dad hosted Saturday night dances on the upper level of their home, while he hid on the stairs listening to the music and watching the grown-ups dance. Soon enough, Ray and his friends were going to dances, traveling to and from town on horse drawn hay rides. Although Ray’s father offered to buy him a new car if he stayed home and worked on the farm instead of going to college, Ray had his heart set on furthering his education. He saved his money and went to Syracuse University for his first year of college, where he ran track and was recognized for his speed, agility and strength. Ray graduated with a Juris Doctorate, from Cumberland University in Tennessee where he met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth. He and his bride lived in Munnsville, NY at first, and moved to Dunkirk, NY when he opened his first business in the automotive industry. Twenty years later, he and Elizabeth grew on different paths, and divorced. They eventually married others, but remained friends. Several years later, Ray retired and moved to Saint Cloud, FL, where he was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and Former Grand Knight. Ray was also a life member of the Elks Club, where he gathered with friends for dinner every Friday night. He also helped to raise money to build a new church. Thirty eight years after their divorce, when they were single again, Ray and Elizabeth both attended a family wedding where they found each other again by pure serendipity. That spark of love re-ignited and they married the second time in1993. They enjoyed a happy marriage living in Lebanon, TN, then Sarasota, FL where they resided until Elizabeth passed in 2003. The following year, Ray moved back to Saint Cloud, FL, where many of his old friends lived. Ray always found his peace in nature. He loved to work in his garden every morning, and had a green thumb. He grew the most beautiful roses, and he had dozens of rose bushes of all colors all around the house. When his work in the garden was finished for the day, he picked out one special rose to put in the vase on the kitchen table. Ray loved to nap in the sun and was often visited by various species of birds that walked right up to him …just in case he had brought out some bread for them. As someone who observed animals, birds, trees, the stars and the sea, he was a perpetual student of nature. When pondering the afterlife he saw the order of all living things and remarked that God must exist because the perfect harmony of our world must have someone (God) running it. No matter what happened in his day or how he felt, not a night passed that you could not see a light next to his bed as he read a few verses of the bible before falling asleep. Ray had wonderful dreams picturing Elizabeth waiting for him at the pearly gates of heaven. Ray will be remembered for the warmth of his smile, the twinkle in his eye, his quick wit and vast wisdom and knowledge of events around the world. He was respected for his sense of fair play and for standing up for his beliefs, and he was loved for his sunny disposition and sense of humor. His kindness and generosity of spirit were felt by countless friends and family far and wide. A viewing for Raymond Foster will be held at the Chapel at Fisk Funeral Home at 1107 Massachusetts Ave, St. Cloud, FL at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 6th, followed by a service led by Rev. Leslie V. Hernandez at 11:00 AM. Ray will be escorted by immediate family to Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon, TN, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Elizabeth.

Raymond Leroy Foster

September 17, 1908 - February 4, 2014