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Foster Caddell Obituary
He was born in Pawtucket, R.I., on Aug. 2, 1921, the only child of the late Clara (Bamford) and Foster Bradley Caddell.
He is survived by his beloved mate, Gail (Merchant) Caddell. They were married Feb. 14, 1993, at the home of close friends in Gate City, Va.
Foster was previously married to June Kaufmann, who predeceased him in 1989.
Foster spent his entire life pursuing his passion for painting. He started sketching and drawing while still in grade school and continued through high school. After graduation, he became employed at Providence Lithograph Co. During World War II, he was assigned as an artist and spent 18 months of his three-year service within the U.S. Army Air Corps, sketching and painting throughout the Pacific.
After the war, Foster returned to work as a lithographer, but ultimately turned to free lance illustration, preferring to work for himself. He continued to pursue "fine art" projects, nights and weekends. Then living in Voluntown, he was asked to teach by aspiring local artists familiar with his work. Before long, he was the owner and CEO of the largest private art school in southern New England. He retired in 2006.
In 1974, the editor of American Artist suggested that he write an art instruction book. He embarked on writing, "Keys to Successful Landscape Painting". This book was followed by "Keys to Successful Color" and "Keys to Painting Better Portraits". In 1993, he wrote a revision of his first book, which was retitled, "Foster Caddell's Keys to Successful Landscape Painting". In addition to these accomplishments, Foster has gained great renown as a portrait artist. He portrayed many famous people from northeast Connecticut, including Senator Thomas J. Dodd and his son, Christopher J. Dodd, senior Senator from Connecticut.
In addition to his wife, Gail, Foster is survived by Gail's daughter, Cherie LeBlanc Fisher, husband, Charles Fisher, and daughter, Olivia, of Stow, Vt., Dane LeBlanc, wife, Kelly Plourde LeBlanc, and infant son, Joseph Raymond, of Waterford; and his most special friend of 60 years, Dr. Albert G. Gosselin of Lisbon.
There will be calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City. Graveside services will take place at 11 a.m. at Pachaug Cemetery, Griswold.
In remembrance of Foster and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371.
For online condolences, please visit www.gagnepiechowski.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Foster Caddell
Karen A St Jean
May 30, 2023
Remembering you always . you were a great friend and teacher. Sometimes I hear you as I paint . thank you Karen St Jean
Karen A St Jean
May 30, 2021
On your Anniversary, I am remembering it has been many years since I have been in your art class . but I still think about you and your teachings . Ii hopefully am passing on some of your teachings to my students. Thank you again for all I have learned form you . you are missed a lot . sincerely Karen
Karen St Jean
May 30, 2019
On this anniversary of Foster I want to say I still miss him so much . As I am a teacher of art now I reflect on how Foster taught me always encouraging me . I try to do the same with my students . I know Foster is in heaven painting away and enjoying his life there . I also am so happy he wrote his books as that is how he still teaches me to this day .
The persons with whom I was in class with became my art family and best friends .
hugs and love to the family
June 20, 2013
Dear Gail and Family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Foster will be deeply missed by so many.
He was an excellent art teacher. I am blessed to been able to take lessons from Foster. May all your wonderful memories be a comfort to you. Hugs and love . Karen St. Jean
Les Young
June 10, 2013
Gail, my sincere condolences and prayers that the God of all comfort will be your source in the days ahead. It's had to believe that my best art ever was produced 60 years ago as a 9-year old student of Fosters. A couple of pieces still hang in my house. Years later Foster had me pose for a western novel he was illustrating. That was a kick, wearing all the authentic gear. Many years later we reunited in the back of an ambulance on a couple of occasions. Even then his cheerful disposition was in high gear. I'm so glad I was able to tell him about a God Who loved him and a Savior Who died for him. Prayers and blessings.....Les Young
S H
June 8, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I pray you find comfort for your memories & know that God, the hearer of prayers will comfort his mourning ones. Isaiah 61:2
Betty Rogan
June 8, 2013
Dearest Gail and Family, I was quite saddened to learn of Foster's passing.
He was the most remarkable person, artist and teacher. He was always a joy to be around with all his stories and quotes. He most certainly will be missed by all who knew him. You have great memories of him and you have children and grandchildren to enjoy.
Keep your wonderful spirit up. Most sincerely,
June 7, 2013
Gail, What is there to say? I feel so bad for you. I truly am glad I saw him 2 weeks ago. It is the circle of life, though. But I truly know how you feel. Things will get gradually better for you.
Did you move to your new home first or did he pass before you all moved? I hope he lived in his beloved studio until the end. Keep up your spirits, although you will have some bad times. My thoughts are with you Cynthia Young
Lisa Coe
June 7, 2013
To the loved ones of Foster Caddell, to his family and friends...
Foster Caddell was a gift to our little part of Connecticut, and also to those that loved his art. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
I will remember this dear person as the very best landlord ever. I am so glad that I had the chance to know Foster when I rented an apartment from him back in 1988. He was a wonderful person to know and to this day I consider him the most famous person I have ever met. Memories of the couple of years I spent in the apartment at the corner of Rt 49 and 165 in Voluntown will always be cherished because of Foster Caddell. He was generous, kind, and compassionate. Every moment I spent listening to his stories of WWII, and looking at his wealth of art, I always had the sense that I was in the presence of greatness.
Heaven is now richer by his grace.
Christy Socha
June 7, 2013
Dear Gail,
Well, you know how I felt about Foster. I loved seeing him on my schedule and I will miss him. He always made me laugh.."growing old ain't for sissies!" Hugs and kisses to you Gail. You are an angel!
Thinking of you,
Christy Socha, Advanced Dermatology
rena and leon
June 7, 2013
dear Gail and family
we are so sorry to hear of the loss of foster. we will never forget the first time we met you and Foster.
we were there at the studio to discuss your new website.
before we knew it an hour had passed and we hadn't discussed any business at all!
Foster started talking about some of his adventures and we just couldn't get enough
here we were literally strangers to each other, yet he made us feel like old friends, that is the special spirit of foster.
I believe he is one of if not the most unique and special individual we have ever met and we feel lucky and honored to have had the chance to know him. and we would like to think that in a way he reminded us not to take life for granted and go out and live, love,
and enjoy life to it's fullest.
every last drop!
thank you Foster and heaven is a much more colorful place with you there.
peace and love
Rena and Leon Barnowski
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail- I am so sorry to hear of Foster"s passing. He was a great influence in my life; teaching me to appreciate art through his eyes. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Sincerely, Betsy Weller
Lloyd VanLanen
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail, words can't express my sympathy for you, and your family, I enjoyed coming over and seeing Foster, and hearing his stories of adventure, and gazing at his beautiful portraits. Tammy and I pray for your peace in this difficult time. Let us know if you need anything, we are just a phone call away.
Cindi Herren
June 6, 2013
Gail & Family... So Very Sorry About Foster... He was a Sweetheart.... It was a Honor and a Blessing to know Him & You.... God be with You All at this Sad Time... Cindi Herren
Julia & Bob Duffney
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail,
Please accept our deepest sympathies & may memories of the happier times you & Foster shared give you strength & comfort at this sad time.
Tara Musto
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail & Family,
Foster was a great guy and will be greatly missed. Our Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
From, Your friends at Visiting Angels Groton, Ct
Theresa [Scagliotti] Wisti
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail, I'm so sorry for your loss. Foster was a fine man, and a most talented artist. His portraits are what I remember best about him. It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Mindy Machalick
June 6, 2013
Dear Gail,
Foster will be missed so much. I am so sorry for your loss.
Take care of you.
Karen Dupont-Porter
June 5, 2013
My heartfelt condolensces to the family! I remember as a child wondering who this private man was. It turns out he is a legend and so famous for his artistic ability. So proud to say I grew up with this man in the same town. Blessing to you all!
Wendy Taylor-Jourdian
June 5, 2013
Dear Gail, I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember Foster very well from childhood. My mother was June's best friend growing up. We have a landscape that Foster did in 1942 hanging in our dining room. It was a gift to my mother for being their matron of honor. I remember the children's books he illustrated and going to Northlight to pose for him. My father took art lessons from him and many of my father's paintings are hung in my house. Foster's influence on him as a painter is obvious.
barbara glenney
June 5, 2013
I wish to send my condolences to gail and friends and family of Foster. He will be missed. I have many fond memories of foster when i was growing up. He was friends with my father Dr Albert Gosselin and my mother Laura. I took art lessons from Foster when I was young as did my children. He was a very gifted man. I live in San Antonio now but would visit him when I would come home for a visit. I loved his stories and he loved to state quotes on life. He will be missed.
Katherine Metcalf-Davis
June 5, 2013
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of such an extraordinary artist and wonderful man. May he sleep with the Angels.
barbara glenney
June 5, 2013
I have many fond memories of foster growing up. he was close friends of my parents dr albert gosselin and my mother laura. I had taken art lessons from him and later so did my children. i live in San Antonio now but whenever i would go home i would look forward to visiting him. he love to express quots on life he will be missed. my condolences to his wife gail and family. love barbara
Today is a sad day.
Dorothy (Stott) Clark
June 5, 2013
Dear Mrs. Caddell, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and my mentor. Because of your husband I have children's books in stores and an illustration career that started with his helping hand and kindness to me and to my parents. Foster's first wife, June dated my uncle Bob, my father's twin when they were young. She always said she stayed away from dating the wild one, my father Bill. Foster took me on as a student when I was twelve and gave to me my very first paint box! He even framed my early paintings without charging me! When I came in third place at age 15 in an art show sponsored by then Congressman Chris Dodd, Senator Dodd told me to follow Mr. Caddell's advice for a career in the arts and to be proud that a young lady from Griswold placed in a "big" show in Norwich! I now place in Barnes and Noble with successful children's books. I have not stopped making art everyday since Foster Caddell came into my life. His guidance sent me to Paier College of Art and he always told me to learn to draw what I see before drawing what I feel! As a result of being able to draw, even in our computer age, I make my living as an illustrator the old fashioned way, the way he taught me...Again, I am so sorry for the passing of Foster. However, I do know he lives forever in his paintings and in my heart. With much love to you, Mrs. Junius Morgan Clark, known locally as Bill Stott's little girl, Dorothy Stott. www.littleduckproductions.com
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