Donald Hartling Foster

Donald Hartling Foster, 86, of East Sandwich, MA died unexpectedly on August 8,2025. Born November 26,1938 in Newton, MA, the oldest son of Herman Adelbert Foster and Eleanor (Hartling) Foster. His Brother David arrived two years later. Don spent his early childhood in Newton before the family moved to Westwood, MA where his father, Herman, and his uncle, Clayton Foster, opened a concrete block manufacturing plant after the end of World War II. The demand for housing at that time was a prime opportunity for the brothers to produce building materials.

After graduating from Westwood High, Don went on to receive degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Production Engineering, and Northeastern University in Industrial Engineering. Don and former wife, Leslie (Halvorsen) Converse, raised three children in Westwood where he was active in town government and the Westwood Baptist Church. Don eventually relocated to Norfolk, MA and then to East Sandwich, MA.

Don eventually took over as Owner and CEO of the Foster Bros, and Foster Masonry Products manufacturing plants in Westwood and expanded operations into three manufacturing facilities and a sand and gravel operation. In 1996 he sold the Foster Masonry business to Oldcastle Architectural and became President of Foster-Southeastern Inc, an Oldcastle company in Holbrook, MA.

Don was a nationally recognized expert in the concrete masonry industry serving the industry in various capacities as: Chairman of the Board of the National Concrete Masonry Association, President of the New England Concrete Masonry Association, Treasurer of the Massachusetts Construction Industry Council, and Chairman of the Fire Safety Construction Advisory Council of New England and New York.

In 1988, Don married Barbara (Luther) Foster, creating a large, blended family. Don and Barbara loved golf and travel and spent many years travelling to Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico for both business and pleasure, as well as visiting relatives in Nova Scotia, and searching for Oak Island treasure. They took a long-awaited trip to another favorite place, Maine, shortly before Don’s passing. He was a Red Sox and Patriots fan (especially when the Pats beat the Denver Broncos). “Papa Don” and “Nana Barbara” particularly loved Cape Cod and often hosted their extended family for holidays and Fourth of July cookouts with fireworks on their beach. No exception, our blended family was together again this Fourth of July.

Don is survived by his wife, Barbara, his siter in law Marion Foster of Gilbert, AZ, and his beloved extended family: His three children, Joan (Foster) Evans and husband Bob of Needham, MA, Sharon (Foster) Schoen and husband Jim of Darien, CT, Tom Foster and wife Janet of Conifer, CO, and three step children, Dale (Booth) Michaud and husband Ron of Medway, MA, Dianne Booth of Abington, MA, and Holly (Booth) Dupre and husband Guy of Fairhaven, MA. He is also survived by many grandchildren including, Sam Evans of Washington, DC, Greg Evans of San Francisco, CA, Rose Evans of Boise, ID, Adeline Schoen of Somerville, MA, Keane Schoen of Darien, CT, Adam Pichette and wife Victoria of Hopedale, MA, Kathryn Pichette of Medway, MA, Abigail Booth of New London, CT, Daniel Booth (DJ) of Phoenix, AZ, and many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Don was predeceased by his brother David Foster of Gilbert, AZ, his stepson, Daniel Booth of Sandwich, MA, his grandson, James Robert (JR) Schoen of Darien, CT, and his loyal friend, Marley. Don was an anchor for his family and his community and will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA, on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 5pm – 8pm. The burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, 46 Jones Road, Falmouth, MA, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 12pm followed by a memorial service at West Parish of Barnstable Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the JR Schoen Memorial Foundation, a 501 © (3) Charity at www.jrschoenmemorial.org.