Graham Foster

Graham passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members on November 28, 2022 at the age of 93.
Harold Graham was born at home and ever after was called Graham. Raised in Vancouver, he was the youngest of five children born to Charles and May Foster. He attended several Vancouver schools finishing at Vancouver Tech. He was an accomplished athlete and was active in lacrosse and soccer into his 20’s when the responsibilities of fatherhood crowded out his passion for playing sports. Thereafter, he happily coached his sons in soccer, baseball, and lacrosse.
Graham and Agnes (Grant), also born and raised in Vancouver, met as teenagers and married in 1950. Together they began a wonderful partnership that lasted over 65 years. They moved to North Vancouver where he built the first family home after work and on weekends in the early 1950’s. By the early 60’s, a growing family and the need to have more room resulted in the purchase of a new home in the forested upper Lonsdale area where Graham and Agnes lived for the next 52 and 53 years respectively. He spent the last almost 3 years in Victoria to be nearer to his eldest children.
Graham achieved his journeyman steamfitter’s ticket just after his 16th birthday and worked as a journeyman, foreman, job superintendent, project manager, and company director for Fred Welsh Ltd for nearly his entire career. In that time, he travelled extensively throughout the province and beyond to complete project work in communities such as Nanaimo, Powell River, Kitimat, Ft. Simpson (NWT), Kelowna, Winfield and Banff (AB). However, the majority of his work took place on the lower mainland where he oversaw work on commercial buildings, such as the Vancouver Law Courts, Hotel Vancouver, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver General Hospital, Metrotown Towers, Meridian Hotel and, the last and largest project, GM Place (Rogers Arena). Dad took great pride in his contributions to the Vancouver skyline. In nominating him for a prestigious award, the late owner of Fred Welsh Ltd. described Dad as the best and most respected in the business. After 50 years in that business, Graham took a well-earned retirement.
Graham took an interest in his family roots and travelled with Agnes to Britain, where they visited his father’s family home and mill in Swaffam Prior. Although they journeyed together to other places in the world, Graham’s favourite destination was Maui. They would spend many winter vacations relaxing on the beach, reading, and snorkeling in the waters near Kaanapali.
Graham had a passion for the Big Band era music and 50’s crooners and had a generous collection of records to prove it. It was not uncommon to see him sitting in the living room, a glass of scotch in his hand, listening to the sounds of Goodman, Basie or Gershwin or joining in to accompany vocalists such as Bennett, Fitzgerald and Sinatra – or he’d serenade Agnes or swirl her around the dance floor.
Life in the Foster household was never so lively or filled with laughter as when, after a great meal at the family dining table, family members and guests would engage in raucous debates on a wide range of topics including music, politics, fashion, and sports. Graham often took on his grandchildren and anyone else who wanted to participate. He would goad and prod and tease and laugh until everyone was exhausted.
He took a great interest in hearing about his grandchildren’s travels and accomplishments. He enjoyed their visits and often regaled them with stories of his own youth. He loved to engage people in conversation, and he was an entertaining raconteur.
Graham was predeceased by his beloved wife Agnes (2015), and sadly both his son Robin (Dianne) and his daughter Janice (2018). He is survived by his son Grant (Pam) and his daughter Kathrynn (David), ten grandchildren and one great grandchild and extended family members.
His clan will miss him very much – most especially at family get-togethers, and whenever ‘his’ music plays. He will live on in the stories we recall and tell.
No service at his request, but the family welcomes messages at www.pacificcoastcremation.com

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Condolence Messages

  1. Happy Birthday Dad!😪
    I’m singing to you in my heart.
    K

  2. Lawrence (Larry)

    Our condolence to the Foster Family. My mother Jessie Topolewski just told me of this. I used to go along as a caddy with the golf gang as a youngster. Graham, Nick, Al, Norm and others. They all worked together and were great friends. Graham was good man and will be in our memories forever.

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