Richard F. Foss

Richard Fletcher Foss of Bay Square in Yarmouth, age 96, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Mercy Hospital in Portland on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. He was born in Portland on March 26, 1917 to Clifton Macy Foss and Marion Fletcher Foss. Mr. Foss was a graduate of Deerfield Academy and a 1940 graduate of Harvard University. He married Suzanne Thompson in 1939. They were married for 55 years and raised three children, Peter, Charles, and Macy.

Mr. Foss worked for 63 years in the family business, Schlotterbeck & Foss Company, a specialty foods manufacturer on Preble Street which was founded in 1866 by his grandfather. Mr. Foss started as a sales representative in 1940 and worked up to Chairman of the Board, retiring in 2003. He enjoyed spending time with family at Grand Beach near Pine Point, dancing, listening to and playing music (he played the trumpet), playing bridge, gardening and hunting with old friends. He had a dry wit and a rich sense of humor. He had been a member of the Portland Country Club, The Portland Club where he served as president, and was active in the life of the First Parish Church of Portland for more than 92 years where he served in many positions. He was devoted to the Portland community and a generous supporter of many local charities and civic improvement organizations.

Mr. Foss was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne Thompson Foss, in 1994; his daughter, Macy Foss Avery, in 2004; and his brother, Robert Macy Foss, in 1991.

Mr. Foss is survived by his son, Peter Thompson Foss, and his wife, Judith, of Yarmouth; his son, Charles Sumner Foss, and his partner, Holly H. Brooks, of Portland; his son-in-law, William C. Avery, and his wife, Mary Gallie, of Freeport; and his grandchildren: Theodore Richard Foss of Los Angeles, California; Abigail Svea Foss and her husband, Joshua M. Protas, of Takoma Park, Maryland; and Kate C. F. Ferrell and her husband, Christopher J. Ferrell, of London, England. Great-grandchildren include Eli Foss Protas, Noah Foss Protas, and Rosie Foss Protas of Takoma Park and Miles Foss Wallace Ferrell of London.

He is also survived by his brother, Clifton Macy Foss, and his wife, Dorothea B. Foss, of Cape Elizabeth; his sister, Mrs. Edmund W. Hoctor (Mary F. Foss) of Westborough, Massachusetts; his good friend, Henrietta F. Stewart, of Falmouth; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Foss was a resident of Bay Square in Yarmouth for 10 years and his family is very appreciative of the supportive staff there. Year after year, he planted a tree, a shrub or bulbs in the fall, smiling broadly when they bloomed in the spring. In honor of his love of gardening and interest in the landscaping at Bay Square, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Dick Foss Tree Planting Fund at Bay Square (27 Forest Falls Drive, Yarmouth, ME 04096).

A funeral service will be held at 11a.m on Monday, December 30, 2013 at First Parish Church, 425 Congress Street, Portland. A private burial will be held in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland when the flowers bloom again. Arrangements are under the direction of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Maine. On-Line Condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.