TimesLeader.com

September 24
John T. Foster

September 20, 2008

John T. Foster, 64, of Clarks Summit and Lake Winola, died Saturday, Sept. 20, in the VNA Hospice Unit at CMC after a courageous battle with cancer. He and his wife, the former Jean Zenke, celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on June 25.

Born in Sayre, PA, son of Donald Foster and the late Jean Smith Foster, he was a 1962 graduate of Sayre Area High School, and an “honorary member” of the 1962 Class of Scranton Central High School. John received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg State College, and a Master of Education Degree from the University of New Hampshire. He was an elementary and middle school teacher and elementary guidance counselor in the Abington Heights School District for 32 years, having started the Elementary Guidance Program at Abington Heights in 1969. During his teaching career, John also had a passion for coaching. At Abington Heights, he coached boys and girls basketball and boys and girls soccer. He also coached boys basketball in the Riverside School District. He was president and vice-president of the Abington Heights Coaches Association and a Commissioner for the Abington Heights Youth Soccer League. John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit where he was an Elder, Deacon, and Sunday School Teacher. He was also a member of the Lake Winola Cottagers Association and the Lackawanna Audubon Society, serving on the Board of Directors of each organization.

After retiring from teaching in 1998, he earned his realtor’s license and was associated with Coldwell Banker Town and Country Properties. John was a loving and caring person who will be deeply missed. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially at Lake Winola, and his grandchildren were the light of his life. He also enjoyed carpentry, woodcarving, golf and gardening.

Also surviving are a daughter Susan Flynn and husband Paul; a son Ken and wife Dana; four grandchildren: Ryan and Ethan Flynn and Sophia and Olivia Foster, all of Clarks Summit; mother-in-law and sister-in-law Catherine and Susan Zenke, Dalton; stepmother Shirley Foster and stepbrother Richard Welty and wife Loretta, all of Sayre; aunts and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 School St., Clarks Summit, with Rev. William G. Carter officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Lawrence Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit; or VNA Hospice of Lackawanna County, 301 Delaware Ave., Olyphant 18447; or the donor’s favorite charity. For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome.com