Rudolph "Rudi" William Foster

Born on May 28, 1945, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Rudi was raised by his devoted mother, Mary Foster, and shared a close bond with his sister Marie MacLaughlin. He was a loving uncle to Kim Buck and Brenda Thibault.

Rudi’s greatest joy was his family. He was married to the love of his life, Eleanor Foster (née Byers), for 57 years. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, and devotion. Rudi was a proud and loving father to Tara Foster and Jason Foster and welcomed his daughter-in-law Krista Smith-Foster into the family with open arms. His grandson Gavin was the apple of his eye — Rudi loved watching him play hockey and enjoying an afternoon golfing together. Rudi was deeply proud of Gavin and was eagerly looking forward to watching him graduate next week and celebrating all of his achievements

Rudi dedicated 35 years of his professional life to Parts for Trucks, where he rose to the position of Vice President. His contributions to the trucking industry extended far beyond the boardroom — he was a respected leader within the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and played a key role in its growth and development. In recognition of his lasting impact, Rudi was named APTA’s Man of the Year in 1997.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rudi was a pillar of his community. He spent many years involved in the Scouting movement and coaching local soccer — including his own children’s teams. He cherished time spent camping with friends at Scotia Pines Campground, golfing on sunny days, and being on the water, where he felt most at peace.

Rudi was also a passionate supporter of short track racing in the Maritimes. As Vice President at Parts for Trucks, he played a key role in launching the company’s long-standing title sponsorship of the Maritime Pro Stock Tour — a partnership that helped elevate the sport across the region. His belief in the Tour and the racing community never wavered, and his presence at the track will be deeply missed by many.

Rudi was truly larger than life — standing at 6’6”, he was a commanding presence with a heart just as big. Though he carried himself with strength and dignity, he also had a playful side and a great sense of humour. Happy Gilmore was his favourite movie, and he never missed a chance to share a laugh. He had a deep love for dogs, especially his beloved companion Finn, and his grand-fur babies Reese, Breyah, and Pippa always brought a smile to his face.