Richard Fletcher
Foss, 96
YARMOUTH -- Richard Fletcher Foss, 96, of Bay Square in Yarmouth, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Mercy Hospital in Portland on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. He was born in Portland on March 26, 1917, to Clifton Macy Foss and Marion Fletcher Foss. Mr. Foss was a graduate of Deerfield Academy and a 1940 graduate of Harvard University. He married Suzanne Thompson in 1939. They were married for 55 years and raised three children, Peter, Charles, and Macy.
Mr. Foss worked for 63 years in the family business, Schlotterbeck & Foss Company, a specialty foods manufacturer on Preble Street which was founded in 1866 by his grandfather. Mr. Foss started as a sales representative in 1940 and worked up to Chairman of the Board, retiring in 2003.
He enjoyed spending time with family at Grand Beach near Pine Point, dancing, listening to and playing music (he played the trumpet), playing bridge, gardening and hunting with old friends. He had a dry wit and a rich sense of humor.
He had been a member of the Portland Country Club, The Portland Club where he served as president, and was active in the life of the First Parish Church of Portland for more than 92 years where he served in many positions. He was devoted to the Portland community and a generous supporter of many local charities and civic improvement organizations.
Mr. Foss was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne Thompson Foss, in 1994; his daughter, Macy Foss Avery, in 2004; and his brother, Robert Macy Foss, in 1991. Mr. Foss is survived by his son, Peter Thompson Foss and his wife Judith of Yarmouth, his son, Charles Sumner Foss and his partner Holly H. Brooks of Portland; his son-in-law, William C. Avery and his wife Mary Gallie, of Freeport; and his grandchildren, Theodore Richard Foss of Los Angeles, Calif., Abigail Svea Foss and her husband Joshua M. Protas of Takoma Park, Md., and Kate C. F. Ferrell and her husband Christopher J. Ferrell of London, England. Great-grandchildren include Eli Foss Protas, Noah Foss Protas, and Rosie Foss Protas of Takoma Park and Miles Foss Wallace Ferrell of London. He is also survived by his brother, Clifton Macy Foss and his wife Dorothea B. Foss of Cape Elizabeth, his sister, Mrs. Edmund W. Hoctor (Mary F. Foss) of Westborough, Mass.; his good friend, Henrietta F. Stewart of Falmouth; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Foss was a resident of Bay Square in Yarmouth for 10 years and his family is very appreciative of the supportive staff there. Year after year, he planted a tree, a shrub or bulbs in the fall, smiling broadly when they bloomed in the spring.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at First Parish Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. A private burial will be held in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland when the flowers bloom again. Arrangements are under the direction of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. On-line Condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.
In honor of his love of gardening and interest in the landscaping
at Bay Square, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers,
donations be made to:
The Dick Foss Tree Planting Fund
at Bay Square
27 Forest Falls Drive
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Richard Fletcher Foss
Jones, Rich & Hutchins
Funeral Home & Cremation Service
775-3763
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with "Mr. Richard" for so many years. He had the greatest sense of humor and always made me feel like a member of the family. He made a lasting impression on me as he did with everyone who knew him. He was certainly one of a kind. My thoughts are with you all during this time.
Caren McClure
January 10, 2014
To the Foss Family
Sorry for the loss of Dick. He was a
great guy and had such a fulfilling life.
You should all be so proud of him. I
enjoyed my 26 years of working for him and the Foss family.
My thoughts are with you at this time.
Les White
Leslie white
December 31, 2013
I first met Richard F Foss at the window unit of the US Postal service sometime in the early to mid 80's. He would alternate picking up mail with his brother Clifton. He was a very pleasant and friendly customer/person. I am sorry to hear of his passing and want to express my condolences to his family.
Peter F Foss
December 30, 2013
I will remember him always the pride he took when he was making his vanilla flavoring. He was so happy to talk to you about his flower garden when he was at schlotterbeck and foss. He will be missed.
Dan Piotti
December 29, 2013
Dear Peter and Charles,
How sad I am to learn that your dad has passed away. So many memories of the days many many years ago that we lived next door on Craigie Street. My parents and Dick and Sue had such good times together. They were great friends. May you be comforted by your memories and knowing how friends from even years ago have fond memories as well.
Patti Means Johnston
December 24, 2013
The Clam Festival Parade float entry from Bay Square will never be the same without Dick as part of it! We enjoyed sharing the elevator with Dick and his scooter on many occasions. The Bay Square Old Timers Club will never be the same. Our thoughts are with you all as you begin to navigate life without Dick at the helm.
Chuck and Molly Blakeman
December 23, 2013
Peter,and Charlie ,I was so sad to hear of the passing of your Dad.I have known him for the whole ten years he was at Bay Square.Over that time we formed a nice relationship.He was a great guy and always seemed to care how my life was going.He usually had a big smile when I passed by or entered his apt.He will be missed.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family .
Marilyn Nason
December 22, 2013
With much love
in honor of both Macy and Dick!
Grace {Gilman} Drummond
December 22, 2013
Your Dad was one of those special people that I was so lucky to get to know and care for; I am so sorry for your loss. Brenda Tims
Brenda Tims
December 22, 2013
to all of the Family of Richard F. Foss,
Christmas to me always is represented best by very vivid memories of Dick Foss as Archangel Gabriel, (in the Christmas Pageant at the First Parish Church in Portland).
The highlight of the pageant: Dick Foss, as the Archangel Gabriel ~ robed in a striking deep red gown! gathered at the waist by a rope, his dark hair complimented by the aura of a halo, wings suited to an Archangel, and sandals on his feet.
As the Angel approached the Virgin Mary, Dick's handsome face always bore the perfect gentle yet powerful countenance one would hope for from an Archangel ~ and, as well, the pure joy which Archangel Gabriel would embody when announcing to Mary that God had chosen Her for the ultimate honor: bearing The Son of God who would be the Saviour of all mankind.
Dick reverently would approach the altar, step up the few steps as he silently raised his golden trumpet to address Mary, and, just as his trumpet touched his lips, the church organ would sound the glorious notes which emanated from his trumpet! Nothing could have been more moving!
(My Heart still remembers the exact notes the organ played as the trumpet's message!)
That entire scene was, and still remains, to me, the Essence of Christmas Joy and Triumph; (thinking of it invariably moves me to tears).
Only a man such as Dick Foss could bring that deeply spiritual message to life, to people's Hearts, as would God's Messenger, Archangel Gabriel.
On a more secular level,
Schlotterbeck & Foss represents the absolute finest, and most respected of businesses!
(It engenders genuine loyalty, from those of us who cherish the Portland known to those of us whose families have lived here "forever").
Dick always was, and his influences always will remain, a Great and remarkably significant part of Portland.
To the entire Foss family, God Bless you all!
Grace {Gilman} Drummond
December 22, 2013
Peter,
My condolences to you on the loss of your dad. I trust that you are grateful to have had him with you for a far longer time than most of us had our dads. I hope the Dec 30th "celebration" is rich and full for you and your family.
Tom Chittick
December 22, 2013
I am sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I got reacquainted with him in the 90's while I lived in Maine to take care of my Dad- Charles Foss Brewster. Our families go way back and our best thoughts are with you.
Whitmore Foss (Buz) Brewster
December 22, 2013
Charlie: thinking of you during this difficult time. May your sadness soon give way to peace. You were a wonderfully attentive son. Kristine Rogers, RN.
December 22, 2013
My family got to know Dick when our parents, Tim and Estelle, moved to Bay Square. Dick often joined us for lunch, and we always loved his witty insights into the news of the day. We had a running joke about Dick dusting off his trumpet to form a Bay Square jazz band. What a great guy! It was a pleasure and a privilege to know him.
Ellen Murphy
December 21, 2013
I am so sorry to hear that Richard (Dick) has passed. I got the pleasure to care for dick for several years at Baysquare. He was always very pleasant and always had a smile for me when I walked into his apt. Will feel the loss when I stop in and don't see him riding his buggy in the halls with his fishing hat on. My condolences go out to his family and many friends.
Deb Pine
December 18, 2013
My sincere condolences for the loss of such a great man. I took pleasure in cooking/ serving breakfast, and typing out letters for Dick at Bay Square for 10 years. Dick felt like a grandfather I never had, he was truly an amazing man. He always had a smile for me and was always interested in to what I was doing next in my life. He'll be greatly missed.
Ashley Durgin (Clukey)
December 18, 2013
My sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved Richard. Life seems to fly by all too quickly. How loving God is to console us with his promise of eternal life.~John 3:16
May you continue to find needed comfort in God's Word and each other.
December 17, 2013
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