Wesley Foster Obituary

Wesley G. Foster VIRGINIA BEACH - Wesley Gibson "Gibby" Foster, 80, passed away May 23, 2010 to join his wife and the love of his life, Jennie L. Foster, who passed away Feb. 14, 2010. Gibby was born July 18, 1929 in Norfolk to the late Edwin Sr. and Grace Foster. Gibby joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947 as a seaman third class and changed over to a fireman second class. He went to motor machinist mate school. He left that school as a motor machinist mate third class. Later, his rate was changed to engineman third class. Gibby left the U.S. Coast Guard in 1951 as engineman first class. He joined the reserve and made chief engineman. Gibby applied for a commission and was made an ensign in 1960, reportedly the oldest ensign in the Coast Guard. After several years, he was promoted to lieutenant commander and retired with that rank. When he left the Coast Guard, Gibby went to work at the Naval Supply Center. He started as a supply item identifier GS5, later that title changed to Equipment Specialist. Gibby was eventually promoted to boss and given the rate of GS11 from which he retired in 1984. He was a 32 degree Mason with the Ocean View Lodge No. 335. Gibby also belonged to the Scottish Rite and the Shrine where he belonged to the drum and bugle corps, the motor corps, and the motor patrol where he was a sergeant master. He was past president of the Norfolk Naval Flying Club. In 1976, Gibby met a beautiful young lady, Jennie, and fell in love. They married April 28, 1979 and the rest was history. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Christie and Craig Black for all their love and support. He is survived by loving daughter, Kim Fortin and husband Ken; loving son, Brian K. Foster; brother, Edwin M. Foster Jr. and wife Marion; grandchildren, Justin and Allison Fortin; beloved dog, Zander; and a host of loving family and many friends. He will be dearly missed. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 28, at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home with entombment to follow in Rosewood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. You may pay condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome. com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on May 26, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Wesley Foster

8 Entries

Beth Fortin-Sari

May 29, 2010

Those we love remain with us,
For love itself lives on .....

And cherished memories never fade,
Because a loved one's gone.

Those we love can never be,
More than a thought apart .....

For as long as there is memory,
They'll live on in the heart.

My heart goes out to you and your family Kim - I'm here if ever you need me.

Allison Fortin

May 27, 2010

I love you granddad, more then anything. You mean the world to me and i am VERY sad to see you go:( You were my idol, inspiration and i looked up to you greatly. Justin and I are very lucky to of had you in our lives. You always seemed to put a smile on our faces, even if you criticized that our cooking skills were not that great(: but we still love you. You are loved by so many people, and you have a great daughter. My mom loved you more then you could ever imagine. You will never be forgotten and you will always be in my heart. I love you granddad, and please don't ever forget that. You are the best grandfather, father, brother, uncle, and husband anybody could ever ask for. I am just glad to know that you are with Jennie in paradise. You can drink all the Rum and Cokes you want(: I love you ! Love Allison.

Kim Fortin

May 27, 2010

Your heart is healed and you are forever free. We love you Dad, with all our hearts. Ken, Kim, Justin, Allison and Susie.

Fondest Memories!

Christie Black

May 27, 2010

I am blessed to have know Gibby and to have become his confidant. Gibby (and Jennie) were the absolute best neighbors and friends a person could ask for. Though you will be truly missed, we know you are where you want to be and back with Jennie for eternity! I will miss our talks and coming over several times a day, but I know you are in a much better place. I will still keep my promise and watch out for Brian as if he was my own family. You were, no I mean you are, a great person to know, love, and admire. We will see you again some day and you can show us around heaven on your scooter..

With Loving Memories,
Christie & Craig Black

Rose Johansen

May 27, 2010

So sorry to hear of his passing, I know he will be missed.
Peace be with you
Rose Johansen Vallera

The best Dad I could ever ask for!

Kim Fortin

May 27, 2010

To my wonderful Dad with more love than you could ever know. My heart is sad that you are gone. I miss you so much. You told me many times I could never replace Jennie, and I told you I could not but I wanted to take care of you and make you happy as long as I could. I hope I did that for you as well as Ken, Justin and Allison. I cherish the 53 years we had together on this earth. God meant for me to be your daughter and to love you with all my heart and being. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful father and best friend. You were ALWAYS there for me and my family, no matter what, I could talk to you about anything and I thank you for that. Justin and Allison have the BEST granddad in the world and not a day will go by that you will not be mentioned, a prayer said for you or to remember a funny joke or story we want to share.

I have held your hand from the time I was born, I will never have regrets for not giving you a hug and kiss and telling you every time I came and left “I LOVE YOU DAD” and you always replied to me “I LOVE YOU TOO KIM”. You taught me so much in my life, I can never say thank you enough for the wealth of knowledge you gave me. I am sorry we could not plan our slide show event; I was so looking forward to pulling out all the old slides, projector and screen and having a Twinkie and pudding cup with you. I will still do that in your honor.

With that said, your hand is now holding Jennie’s hand. You are walking side by side with her and I take such comfort in knowing that. Jennie called you home Sunday morning. Your broken heart no longer aches.

I love you, I will forever miss you and I will see you again one day.

Your loving daughter forever, Kim

Robert Bishop

May 27, 2010

We certainly share your loss in the passing of Gibby. I had the pleasure of working with him many years and remember when he and Jennie met. She surely was the love of his life. They invited us many times to their home, especially for Christmas, and we had such a good time. Our sincere wish is for Jennie and Gibbys' survivors to know how much they were loved and adored by these extraordinary two.

May 27, 2010

To the man who spent his life devoted to his sons' life, who never once backed down from the challenge of being a true father of love and compassion for his family. A man of the utmost highest caliber of honor and respect, earned through so many years of devotion to ensuring his families success and prosperity. Through strength of will overcoming the obstacles that all men are faced with in this world which would cause them to become something common and impure. He never schemed for, nor gave value to the things of material nature begotten through dishonorable means. Though he achieved greatness through his family and friends by holding true to the simple ways of the just and honest man. Loyal to his faith and the joys of accomplishments earned, he was truly a man of great mental and emotional wealth and well being.

Wesley Gibson Foster, my Father will be dearly remembered and his legacy as I have stated will never die. His teachings of how to be a good and decent man to all will be passed on to any who would listen. The grandchildren who won't feel the blessings of his presence in their lives directly will be gifted with his teachings still. I vowed to him as I swear it now, his teachings will not pass with him into memory.

A blessed and loving son of a most beautiful soul......
Brian Keith Foster

I Love You Still Dad

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