William Nelson Foskitt Sr.

With great sadness in our hearts, we announce the passing of William N. Foskitt, Sr., age 78, our Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother who passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on March 4, 2020 surrounded with the love of his family.
Born May 6, 1941, he was the son of the late Yvonne A. (Paquette) Foskitt and the late Theodore N. Foskitt. Raised in the Chicopee Falls Section of the City, he was a graduate of Chicopee Vocational High School in Automotives, and honorably served his Country in the U.S. Army, 104th Transportation Unit during the Vietnam War era stationed in Germany.
Upon his return home from the service, he resumed employment with Acme Site Work in Springfield where he was employed for 18 years leaving to begin a 26 year career in the Fork Lift Industry. He was a former Service Manager for Northeast Clarklift in Springfield, G&S Industrial in Hatfield and United Industrial Service in Agawam from where he retired in 2006.
He married the love of his life, Barbara J. (Bedinotti) Foskitt on June 15, 1968 and was blessed with 51 years of a loving, happy marriage. Together they raised their family in the Hungry Hill Section of Springfield before returning back to Chicopee in 1995.
He was a 54 year Lifetime Member of American Legion Post #275 in Chicopee and served as Vice Commander and Sergeant of Arms for many years. He was a former member of their Board of Directors. He was an Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 14 in Springfield and was so very proud when both of his sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
His memory will be cherished forever by his Beloved wife, Barbara, his Beloved and Devoted son Robert L. Foskitt and his wife Jessica, his loving and caring daughter-in-law Lori M. Foskitt and her fiancé Daniel Waldron, his cherished grandchildren that he so dearly loved, Kyle A. Foskitt, Griffin E. Foskitt, Trevor Waldron of Easthampton and Angelina J. Foskitt and Michael C. Foskitt of Southwick.
The greatest sorrow in his life was the loss of his Beloved son William N. Foskitt, Jr. who predeceased him in 2003 and will now be reunited with for infinity.
He was a loving brother to his two sisters, Elizabeth M. Santos, and the late Louis Santos, III and his sister K. Marion Steigleder and her husband Fred Steigleder, and a dear Brother-in-law to Nancy (Nan) McGrath and husband Lawrence (Neil) McGrath, and brother-in-law Riccardo L. Bedinotti.
He was a favorite “Uncle Bill” to all his nieces and nephews and “Buddy Bill” to several lifelong friends.
Bill loved being outside and took meticulous care of his home and gardens while in good health. Both he and Barbara shared a love for the Ocean and have precious memories staying at the family home in Westerly RI and their annual Fall vacation to Ogunquit Maine to their special bench on Marginal Way.
He will be lovingly remembered as a hardworking man, devoted to the family he loved and always willing to lend a helping hand to others.
Family and friends are invited to gather Sunday March 8, 2020 from 2-5pm in Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N Main St., East Longmeadow. A service of remembrance will start Monday March 9, 2020 at 10:30am in the funeral home with Military Honors. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee. Memorial contributions made in Bill’s name may be made to Gifts of Gratitude, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA 01199. To leave a message of personal condolence or for more information, visit www.forastiere.com.