James L Foss

James L. Foss of Parker Mountain Farm, Strafford, N. H., passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday January. 2, 2013. Jim was born at home in Strafford, the son of George P. and Stella (Libby) Foss. A graduate of Austin-Cate Academy, he entered WWII as a cadet in the U. S. Army Air Corps. After discharge, he was employed as an agent at one of Rochester's oldest insurance and real estate agencies. In 1949, he purchased the agency; beginning a long and rewarding career of over 60 years as an independent insurance agent - the agency known as Foss & Came Insurance Agency. Deeply concerned and interested in the Rochester community, he also became very involved in civic activity and gave countless hours of his time. He served on the Rochester City Council and was one of the first elected to the newly formed Police Commission. After more than 42 years, he retired in 1995 as a director and a past chairman of the board of directors of Profile Bank; was a former trustee and past president of Frisbie Memorial Hospital , vice president of Path Lab, Inc., and in 1985 the recipient of N. H. Hospital Association's Trustee Recognition Award. While serving as chairman of the City Industrial Development committee he was successful in bringing K. W. Thompson Tool Co., Jarvis Cutting Tools Corp. among others, to Rochester. He was also a former member of the New Hampshire Business Development Commission. He was a long time member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and their 1969 Man of the Year. He was a former director and secretary of Gafney Home for the Aged for 25 years; was a trustee of Rochester Cemetery Assoc. for many years, a life member of Rochester Masonic orders and Bektash Shrine, and Charter member of Rochester Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was one of the last two surviving Charter members and has said if he predeceases Fred W. Hall, Jr., Fred wins. He was a life member of Rochester Elks Lodge; a former member of Zoning Board of Adjustment in the City of Rochester and the Planning Board in the town of Strafford; member and treasurer of former Cocheco Valley Sportsman's Assoc., a former director of Strafford County YMCA and life member of Parker Mountain, State and National Granges; director and former president of Rochester Fair Assoc., long time member and a former president of Rochester Country Club; Hole in One Club 1986 at Mtn. View House, and a member of Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust. He was an outdoorsman- fishing and hunting his greatest joy, along with golf , gardening and travel. He was truly happiest when he was doing something for someone else. A man of great personal integrity and insight. A people person. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Howland Foss, with whom he shared a close and happy life for over 65 years, sister Ardys Foss Page of Rochester, and many cousins, nieces and nephews all of whom he was very fond; including two, Kerry H. Roether and J. Kip Howland who became a very important part of his life. He was predeceased by sisters Avis Sinclair, Phyllis Lynbourg, Irene Cafasso, Theresa Hodges and Marion Brown, Dora Perkins, Leola Turmelle and brother George R. Foss. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory, could be made to the Charity of ones' choice. Calling hours will be held Thursday January 10, 2013 from 6-8 PM at the R. M. Edgerly Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester. Memorial services will be held Friday January 11, 2013 at 11 AM with visitation to be held 1 hour prior in the chapel of the funeral home..

James L Foss

January 2, 2013