Howard E. Foster

Atkinson, NH: Howard E. Foster, 86, a resident of Atkinson since 1961, and a retired teacher and principal in the Haverhill School System, died on August 17, 2015 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA.

Born, raised, and educated in Lawrence, MA, son of the late Robert M. and Mary M. (Boyle) Foster, he attended St. Patrick's School and graduated from Lawrence High School. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Foster served in the United States Air Force from 1948 until his honorable discharge with the rank of Sargent in 1952.

Mr. Foster earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Merrimack College, where he was manager of the Basketball Team, and went on to receive his Master's Degree in Education and a second Master's Degree in Education Administration from Salem State University.

Mr. Foster began his teaching career in 1959 in the Haverhill Middle Schools. He served as Assistant Principal at the Fox School on Winter Street in Haverhill and as Principal of the Cogswell and Greenleaf Schools in Bradford and the Moody and Bartlett Schools in Haverhill. He retired in 1993 after thirty-four years as a teacher and administrator.

Mr. Foster had also been employed during his summer breaks at Arlington Trust Co, and as a security guard at Rockingham Park, and at Western Electric Co. working in the Early Warning System (SAGE) Division for three years.

A member and former Executive Board member of the Haverhill Teacher's Association, he was also a member of the National Education Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. He also served as a Trustee of the Kimball Library in Atkinson and a member of the Pastoral Council of the former Holy Angels Parish of Plaistow. He was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, a former member of the Knights of Columbus and a longtime member of the Third Order of Mary at the former St. Anne's Parish in Lawrence. Mr. Foster was an avid reader, and also enjoyed studying history, and traveling throughout Europe and the United States.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Joan (Calderone) Foster, a son and daughter-in-law, Mark H. and Brenda Foster of Rollinsford, NH, two daughters, Denise J. Foster of Alton Bay, NH, and Maura A. Annis of York, ME, four grandchildren, Mary E. Foster, Katherine A. Foster, Christopher M. Foster, and Margaret M. Annis, several nieces, nephews, and one cousin.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Foster's Life Celebration on Friday, August 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. His funeral will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Church of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Plaistow, NH. Burial with the rendering of military honors will follow in Atkinson Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH 03865 or Elder Services, Town Of Atkinson NH, 21 Academy Avenue, Atkinson, NH 03811. To leave a message of condolence for the family or to find directions to our home please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.