Service – Saturday, October 28, 2023
Location – Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwod Avenue, Ottawa
1:30 p.m. Guest Arrivals
2 to 3 p.m. Shared Memories
3 to 5 p.m. Reception
Thomas (Tom) Foster died peacefully on May 31, 2023 at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 75, surrounded by friends and family.
He is survived by the love of his life, Lili-Ann Foster (Renaud), his surrogate son Glenn, two sisters, Eileen (John O’Connell) and Joan (Tom Brunton) and a brother Edwin (Joan Cahill). He is predeceased by his siblings Lorraine (Nick Mau), Harold, Dave (Maureen), John. He also had many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Tom was blessed with a number of close lifelong friends who will remember his integrity, wit, and down-to-earth nature. Always a gentleman, he was open-minded, kind, respectful and non-discriminatory.
He leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion and dedication that will be cherished by all who knew him. Tom touched many lives through his volunteer board work for mental health, youth at risk and many others.
He graduated from Loyola College (Concordia University) where he met Lili-Ann, his future wife of 56 years. Both of them moved from Montreal to Ottawa where they eventually established their own firm, Renaud Foster, which became internationally known in governance and leadership.
Multilingual, he worked around the world where he thrived at dealing with different cultures.
Special thanks to Dr. Ken Duncan for his empathetic assistance in administering MAID and to the staff at the Ottawa General.
A Celebration Tom’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. Guests are invited to gather in the Sacred Space from 1:30 p.m. where Shared Memories will begin at 2 p.m. A reception will follow.
Digital Guestbook
Mr. Ian Cullwick
Mary Anne Stevens
Dear Lili-Ann, I am very sorry to hear of your loss of your soulmate, Tom. I have been thinking back to the happy adventures we had together. I know that there are no words that can ease your pain, but you are in my thoughts. Please take good care.
Fiona Nelson
Dearest Lili-Ann. I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a wonderful human being and I remember you both so very fondly. Take good care, and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Fiona xoxo
Marie-Jose Bourassa
Toutes mes sympathies, Lili-Ann. Tom t’adorait. J’espère que tu sens son amour qui t’entoure toujours et t’apporte la sérénité.
Je t’embrasse. Marie-Jose
Bonnie Robinson
Lili-Ann, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I know how much you loved each other and how successful you were together in business. Tom was so highly respected by all. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the memorial service as we are moving to Victoria in October to be closer to our daughter and her family. Fondly, Bonnie
Patti Murphy
Dear Lili-Ann & family. I was so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. What a kind, intelligent and caring human being he was. He made a lasting impact at YSB, and will be remembered with great fondness and admiration.
Gordon and Anne Fleming
Lili-Ann, you have our deepest sympathies. Tom was a great guy ( and a most congenial golfer ). We are both saddened by his passing. We leave for Florida right after Thanksgiving and are unable to attend the memorial, but hope to reconnect with you when we return in the new year.
Hugs,
Anne and Gord
MERV AND MARY JO BECKSTEAD
Lili-Ann
Our sincere condolences to you. Tom's passing is a great loss to our community.
Merv and Mary Jo
Therese et Paul Paré
Bien chère cousine, Nos sincères condoléances du départ de ton mari Tom, partenaire de vie.
LeeAnn Valencia
Lili-Ann, my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of Tom. He truly was a wonderful, intelligent, generous and kind man. He will be missed, and I regret that I will be unable to attend his life celebration. I will be there in spirit though, and will have my own moment of remembrance for him that day.
Dear Lili-Ann - I am so sorry and sad to hear about Tom's passing. He was a role model to me, and such a kind, thoughtful and smart man, and a mentor to many. My and our thoughts are with you and Tom.
Ian Cullwick