Obituary

Percy Foster dies at 89

For more than 25 years the rooms and corridors of the Colborne Legion Branch 187 echoed with the harmonious ramblings of Percy Foster. The little man with the big smile was most at home in front of a keyboard and he shared his gift with anyone who wanted to listen.

Percy, along with his friend and frequent musical partner,Rex Dillabough, is credited with originating the Legion Jam Sessions, still held in the Club Room at the branch and at others in the area. Back in 1999 Percy set up the loosely organised monthly jam sessions that grew and grew.

Percy later passed over the duties to Ernie Stoneman, allowing Percy to return to what he loved - making the piano dance.

For many years, the mild-mannered, warm-hearted veteran was a fixture at the local branch which he joined when he moved to Colborne in 1975. When he wasn't at the keyboard, he might be found playing a little snooker.

In his eighties he was still gardening at his Burnham Street home, growing flowers and producing his own vegetables. Using his own recipes, he created cakes, breads and cookies.

Much of Percy's life had passed before he arrived in this area.

His family traces its lineage back to the 1800's in Leeds and Yorkshire where Percy's great-grandfather, Benjamin, and his father, Percy, farmed and raised their families.

Percy's namesake and his wife, Hephzibah, had 11 children. All but two remained close to their British home. Only Percy made it abroad.

Percy and his brother, Tommy, joined up at the start of World War II. Prior to the war Percy had worked on aircraft and hoped to join the air force but instead served the entire war in the Royal Navy where he earned two campaign medals and two stars.
                                  Percy spent much of the war at sea.


The young sailor was a keen record keeper and loved taking photos. His family treasures the many snapshots taken at exotic ports around the world. His personal leather-bound embossed album contains black and whites of camels, pyramids, and world military leaders like Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery.


Churchill stands before the men.















           Field Marshal Montgomery inspects the troops.



Percy was at home in the cab of a military truck.






                   An Egyptian newspaper announces the surrender of Italy.

Percy Foster Wartime Photo Gallery


Percy emigrated to Canada in the 1950's, settling in Toronto, before his move to Colborne in 1975.

Percy Foster died on July 8, 2009, ten days before his 90th birthday. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, his step-daughter, Valerie, step-grandchildren Kimberley and Ken, and great step-grandchildren, Liam and Jillian.

Most of Percy's ten siblings remained in England where their children reside today.