DONALD HARTLING FOSTER

FOSTER, Donald Hartling Age 86, of East Sandwich, MA, died unexpectedly, on August 8, 2025. Born November 26, 1938, in Newton, MA, the oldest of Herman Adelbert Foster and Eleanor (Hartling) Foster. Brother David arrived two years later. Don spent his early childhood in Newton, before the family moved to Westwood, MA, where his father, Herman and uncle Clayton Foster, opened a concrete block manufacturing plant in Westwood after World War II. At that time, demand for housing was a prime opportunity for the brothers to produce building materials. After graduating from Westwood High, Don received degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Production Engineering, and Northeastern University in Industrial Engineering. Don and former wife, Leslie (Halvorsen) Converse, raised three children in Westwood, where he was active in town government and the Westwood Baptist Church. Don eventually took over as Owner and CEO of the Foster Bros, and Foster Masonry Products manufacturing plants in Westwood and expanded operations into three manufacturing facilities and a sand and gravel operation. In 1996, he sold the Foster Masonry business to Oldcastle Architectural and became President of Foster-Southeastern, Inc. and Oldcastle company, in Holdbrook, MA. Don was a nationally recognized expert in the concrete masonry industry, serving this industry in various capacities as: Chairman of the Board National Concrete Masonry Association, President of the New England Concrete Masonry Association, Treasurer of the Massachusetts Construction Industry Council, and Chairman of the Fire Safety Construction Advisory Council of New England and New York. In 1988, Don married Barbara (Luther) Foster, creating a large, blended family. Don and Barbara loved golf and travel spending time travelling to Europe, Australia and Canada, visiting relatives in Nova Scotia and searching for Oak Island treasure. Shortly before Don's passing, they took a long-awaited trip to Maine. He was a Red Sox and Patriot fan (especially when Pats beat the Denver Broncos). "Papa Don" and "Nana Barbara" loved Cape Cod and often hosted their extended family for holidays and July Fourth cookouts and fireworks on their beach. No exception, our blended family was together again this July Fourth. Don is survived by his wife, Barbara; sister-in-law, Marion Foster, of Gilbert, AZ; and his beloved extended family. His children, Joan (Foster) Evans and husband, Bob, of Needham, Sharon (Foster) Schoen and husband, Jim, of Darien, CT, Tom Foster and wife, Janet (Shorten), of Conifer, CO; and stepchildren, Dale (Booth) Michaud and husband, Ron, of Medway, Dianne Booth of Abington, Holly (Booth) Dupre and husband, Guy, of Fairhaven. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his brother, David Foster, of Gilbert, AZ; stepson, Daniel Booth, of Sandwich, MA; his grandsons, James Robert (JR) Schoen, of Darien, CT; and loyal friend, Marley. Don was an anchor for his family and his community and will be greatly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Rte. 6A, SANDWICH, MA, Friday, September 5, 2025, 5-8 pm. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, 46 Jones Rd., Falmouth, MA, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 12pm, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00pm, at West Parish of Barnstable Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the JR Schoen Memorial Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charity at www.jrschoenmemorial.org

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