08/15/2026
Keith Foster
It is with profound sadness that the Foster family announces the peaceful passing of Keith Foster on August 13, 2026, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Keith was born at home in Markdale, Ontario, on June 7, 1937, and lived a life defined above all by family.
He was the beloved husband of Mary, his wife of 66 years. Together, Keith and Mary built a remarkable life and family, raising their three sons, Stephen, Paul and Greg. Their marriage was a true partnership, built over more than six decades on loyalty, perseverance, shared responsibility and a deep commitment to their family.
Keith was tremendously proud of his family. He was the proud father of three sons, Stephen, Paul and Greg, and shared a particularly special bond with Christina, a cherished and deeply valued member of the Foster family. He was grandfather of seven - grandsons Jason, David and Robert (Erin), and granddaughters Casandra, Megan, Sarah and Alexis - and great-grandfather of three, Blake, Jaclyn and Andrew.
For Keith, family was not simply part of his life; it was at the centre of it.
Through 66 years of marriage, raising three sons, watching his grandchildren grow and then having the privilege of knowing another generation through his great-grandchildren, Keith experienced something very special - the opportunity to see the family he and Mary began continue to grow around them.
Keith was a man who could be serious when the moment required it, but he also possessed a wonderful sense of humour and a natural charisma that drew people to him. He was financially astute and believed strongly in teaching his family the value of a dollar, the importance of making sound decisions and the responsibility that came with working for what you had.
Keith also loved woodworking, creating many wall hangings and other pieces over the years for family and friends. Those pieces will remain tangible reminders of the care, patience and craftsmanship he put into the things he made.
Leaving the family farm was a significant step in Keith's young life. His first job was with TD Bank in Feversham, Ontario, but another opportunity would soon take him much farther from his roots.
After being accepted for a position with Ford Motor Company in Oakville, Keith often told the story of his mother and father driving him from Markdale and dropping him off at the four corners in Brampton. They had no desire to venture any farther into the city, so they wished their son luck and sent him on his way.
It was the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Keith would spend more than 35 years with Ford Motor Company, beginning on the factory floor delivering mail by bicycle and steadily climbing the corporate ladder to become Director of Logistics, National Dealerships. His career was a testament to his work ethic, determination and belief that opportunities were there to be earned.
Even while building his career at Ford, Keith never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, his adventures included selling used office furniture, undertaking a 10-day marathon at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto selling Top 40 Records and Nerf Toys, selling gift cards to variety stores throughout the GTA, distributing gumball machines and pursuing numerous other ventures - some considerably more successful than others.
Through it all, Mary stood beside him, while Stephen, Paul and Greg quickly learned that being Keith Foster's sons occasionally came with an expectation of providing free labour.
Following his years at Ford, Keith and Mary decided to jump in with both feet once again, purchasing Sweet Temptations, a high-end ice cream and deluxe chocolate store at Queen's Quay Terminal in Toronto. It meant long hours and long days, but Keith embraced the challenge as he had so many others throughout his life.
Keith was also a loyal and devoted member of the United Church, first at Cooksville United Church and later at Trinity Centennial United Church in Rosemont. His faith and his church community remained important parts of his life.
Keith will be remembered not only for the lessons he taught, but for the way he lived them - with loyalty, practicality, humour, determination, strength and an unwavering devotion to his family.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary; his younger sister, Mary Jean (Peter McDougal); his sons, Stephen, Paul and Greg; Christina, a beloved member of the Foster family; his seven grandchildren; his three great-grandchildren; and the extended family and friends whose lives he touched over the course of his life.
His passing leaves an enormous space in the Foster family, but it also leaves something enduring - a marriage of 66 years, three sons, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a lifetime of stories, lessons and memories that will continue through the generations.
Visitation and Funeral Service – Wednesday, August 19, 2026
11:00 a.m. — Visitation
12:00 p.m. — Funeral Service at Trinity Centennial United Church, Rosemont
The service will be followed by refreshments and, in a spirit Keith would surely appreciate, good conversation.
Keith will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and forever remain an important part of the family he and Mary created together.
Arrangements entrusted to Drury Funeral Centre, Alliston. 705-435-3535
