Joel Robert Foster

Joel Robert Foster, age 76, of Lolo, MT passed away on February 27, 2024, in Missoula, MT.

Joe was born on April 6, 1947 in Carbondale, PA to Bill and Charlotte Foster. He was the youngest of the four  Foster boys of Uniondale, PA. He was always up to mischief as a child with so many stories of great adventures, daring escapades, and pranks around the neighborhood. He said he wasn’t the naughtiest boy of the bunch; he was just the one that always got caught! Throughout his life, he cherished his mother's cooking above all others. The friendly rivalry with his brothers for every bite at mealtime nurtured a profound love of food within him.

After graduating from Forest City High School, Joe attended electronics school before enlisting in the Navy where he served from 1968 to 1971 on the USS Forestall and USS Shangri-La in Vietnam. He was always proud to have served his country and loved getting to see the world from the ships.

After the Navy, Joe continued his career as an electrician, becoming a journeyman in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. His career allowed him to travel extensively, taking him from Hawaii to Antarctica, Alaska, and across the Northwestern United States. He took pride in showcasing his craftsmanship and explaining the wiring systems to the occupants in the buildings he had worked on.

Joe was an incredible man, full of life and always ready for any adventure. He loved exploring the mountains of Montana, horseback riding, camping, scuba diving, rafting, skiing and helping his neighbors. His love for hunting and fishing, as well as teaching his daughter, Genni, and three grandkids about the outdoors, brought him immense joy. One of his favorite places to go was the Old Jennings Cabin he fixed up for hunting camp. Joel's mischievous spirit and adventurous nature always led to memorable mishaps and exciting escapades on his many trips. Inevitably you would hear him say, "I guess it has been about 20 years since I have been here" when you knew you had been lost for the past 2 hours. Anyway…

An avid Griz fan, Joe and Genni were regular attendees at Lady Griz basketball games throughout Genni’s childhood. Joe held season tickets for both basketball and football for many years.

Joe got to be the cowboy he had always dreamed of being when Genni married into a ranching family. Whenever it was time to brand calves, move cows, or fix stuff in the barnyard, he was always there to help.

Joe was an avid reader whose love for books was matched only by his remarkable ability to recall vast amounts of information. He spent countless hours immersed in literature, effortlessly retaining untold facts and captivating stories from the pages he devoured. Historical tales of the Old West and accounts of military history were his favorite.

A proud Mason who served as Past Master and Secretary of Masonic Lodge #28 in Stevensville, Joe had a deep passion for his community and the Masonic brotherhood. He enjoyed going to all the various Lodge meetings around the state, riding with the Happy Hawg Patrol in parades, and being a part of the grand tradition of the Masons.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Genevieve, son-in-law Paul Kulaski, and three grandchildren Sophia, James and Wyatt Kulaski of Philipsburg; brothers Keith Foster of Union Dale, PA, Nate (Mary) Foster of Clarks Summit, PA and Gary (Mary) Foster of Wakefield, RI; as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Charlotte Kennedy Foster, father Wilford (Bill) Foster, and sister Joan Foster along with many aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held on May 10, 2024 at 1:00pm at American Legion Post #27 in Stevensville, MT, with a reception to follow at the Stevensville Masonic Lodge.

Donations can be made in Joe’s memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane, a place Joe was proud to support with his work as a Mason and a Shriner.