Willard Blake Foster

Willard Blake Foster, dedicated family man, accomplished travel companion, astute antique collector, competitive sailor, selfless civil servant, staunch conservative, proud son of the American Revolution, died on June 25, 2013.

Born in Worcester, MA on April 15, 1938 to Alice and Bill Foster, Blake grew up in Sudbury, and graduated from Weston High in 1956. His sisters Penny and Susan remembered him as a fun-loving older brother, whose dry, wry sense of humor brightened their days. He received his BS in Industrial Management from the Sloan School at MIT in 1960, and a Masters in Engineering Administration from George Washington University. He also served 2 years of active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, VA.

His 29 year career at Eastman Kodak included stints in manufacturing, market research, and financial analysis, as well as a year at the 1964 World’s Fair. Inspired by his father-in-law, Harry Bubb, Blake believed in limited government, self-reliance, and long term financial planning. During his years in Fairport, NY, Blake took great pride in bringing a business approach to public service in order to enhance the effectiveness of local government. Among his many accomplishments as an elected trustee, he spearheaded a transformation of the village’s downtown, an improvement that stands today.

Blake married Sally Bubb in 1961, and embarked on a lifelong journey. With Sally’s planning, Blake became an accomplished traveler, ultimately finding Switzerland, with its pristine mountain villages and precision transportation systems, to be his favorite destination. His sons Thorp and Bill remember the family trips to Chatham, Sanibel, Kiawah, Disneyworld, and eventually his beloved Swiss Alps. He recently discovered the same passion for the Queen Mary 2, which combined his love of the ocean with his appreciation for nautical engineering. He was thrilled to have been able to introduce several of these favorites to his daughters-in-law, Trina and Darragh and his grandchildren, Davis, Blake, Holly and Willa.

Blake loved the saltwater and the smell of the Cape Cod air. From canoeing on the Merrimack River as a boy, to rowing on MIT’s lightweight crew team, to sailing in the Newport to Bermuda yacht race, Blake was drawn to the water. His move to Chatham MA in 2001 let him enjoy the saltwater year-round. He could often be found eating his lunch at the foot of Chatham Light, surveying the latest changes in the Outer Beach. His children and grandchildren remember Blake passing on his love of all things nautical, teaching them to sail the Sunfish, row the dinghy and tie a proper bowline.

Following in his mother Alice’s footsteps, Blake was renowned for his ability to make the most of whatever he was given. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” was a favorite motto. Whether it was stretching a pair of tennis shoes into their 3rd decade, or turning a refrigerator of leftovers into a meal fit for guests, Blake squeezed every drop out of the resources he had. His basement was a treasure hunter’s dream, as every spare screw, tool, and leftover paint can were stored “just in case”. And sure enough (to the chagrin of his wife and kids) at least once a year, he’d solve a problem with a salvaged item from the depths of the basement, gleefully proclaiming “see, I knew that would come in handy!”

Throughout his life, Blake was known for “backing in” to every parking space – it was his signature arrival, one that generated more than a few teasing comments over the years. While he explained it as his “Army training – always be prepared for a quick exit”, we now realize that he was actually preparing to head out to the next 6am tennis practice, the next band concert, the next family vacation – always ready, willing and excited to teach, support and share with those he loved. While he’s left too soon, his family and friends will carry his lessons and love forever.

Friends may greet the family at their Cross Street home on Sunday, July 14th from 1-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Pulmonary Critical Care Unit Research Fund at Massachusetts General Hospital can be made in memory of W. Blake Foster. Checks must be made payable to MGH Development Office and can be mailed to:

MGH Development Office

c/o Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine (Dr. Walter Joseph O’Donnell, MD)

165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600

Boston, MA 02114