People who knew Harold Foster of Montauk remember that he always had a smile on his face. “He was wickedly funny” and “had a quick wit,” said his wife, Katie Foster.
“He would do anything for anybody and he was as honest as the day is long,” she said. “He was a very good man.”
Mr. Foster, who died of lung cancer at home on March 1 at the age of 76, enjoyed fishing, boating, his friends, and being outdoors. “Every weekend that the weather was nice, we would be on the boat, whether going for lunch over in Connecticut or over on the North Fork or just hanging out on the mooring in Lake Montauk,” his wife said.
Mr. Foster retired about 10 years ago from Foster and Briand Construction, the company he ran for 38 years with Don Briand. In retirement, his boat became even more of a destination. “He would say he was going fishing, but we all knew he was going down for his naps,” Mrs. Foster said.
His dog companions Gigi and Lulu were often at his side.
Mr. Foster was born in Huntington on May 12, 1945, to Buddy Foster and the former Kitty Malkut. He grew up in Huntington and Montauk. His parents started camping with him at Gin Beach when he was a child.
After serving in the Army from 1965 to 1967, he settled in Montauk. He and the former Katie Renaud were married there on Feb. 4, 1990.
He is also survived by two daughters from his first marriage, Kelley Foster and Diana Foster, both of Hampton Bays. He leaves many cousins, a nephew, and two great-nieces.
Visiting hours were held at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on Friday, and a funeral Mass was said on Saturday at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, the Rev. Liam McDonald officiating.
The family has suggested contributions to the Montauk Fire Department, 12 Flamingo Avenue, Montauk 11954, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org, or the Wounded Warrior Project, at woundedwarriorproject.org or P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kan. 66675-8516.
