John Foster

We would like to celebrate the life and career of John J. Foster. He was a loving husband, a caring father, and dedicated minister in the Congregational Church United Church of Christ for over forty years. While there is a profound sense of loss and sadness at his passing, we chose to remember him as a man of deep faith who shared his wisdom and understanding with those of us fortunate enough to have known him. Born January 11, 1916, he grew up during the depression eras of the 1920's and 1930's in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He was the youngest of seven. He began his career as an associate pastor in Brooklyn, New York where he was ordained in 1941. It was there that he married his childhood sweetheart Alberta Neille Shaffer. Over the next forty years he would find special challenges in each church that he served across the country, the West Parish Church in Bethel, Maine, the First Congregational Church in Easthampton, Massachusetts and the First Congregational Church in Melrose, Massachusetts. In the 60's he was called to a church in San Jose, California; it would also be the longest time he would spend in one church 16 years. Finally as his career reached its final stages he was called to Sun City Arizona to serve the First Congregational Church. It would be the largest congregation he ever served more than 2500 people. He would serve briefly at the Desert Garden Congregational Church in Sun City West and as an interim minister in Point St. Luce, Florida. He retired in 1982. Dr. John J. Foster died on Monday morning August 11, 2008 at 6:16 am after a severe stroke. He will be missed by all those who knew him and it will leave a profound silence in all our lives. John Foster is survived by his son James and his wife Debra, Thomas and his wife Lourdes, and four grandchildren Denise, Nicole, Brian and Shannon. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2008 at Desert Garden Congregational Church, 18818 N. 128th Ave., Sun City West, AZ. Menke Funeral & Cremation Center is handling arrangements 623 979-6451.