Final Salute

Gerard or Jerry, as many know him as, was born on November 14, 1938. He was the son of Joseph and Mildred Foster. He grew up in East Boston and following his education, Gerard enlisted in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the United States Naval Construction Force, known as the Seabees. In 1960, Gerard was honorably discharged but always remained a proud US Navy Seabee. Gerard was proud of his service in the Navy and his time serving in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and Rota, Spain. Following his retirement, he took on a new role, promoting the US Navy Seabees and all military veterans. He was never without his Seabee baseball cap and could always be seen at functions, marching in parades and later, riding in a pick-up truck that was towing a large replica of the USS Constitution in many local parades.

Shortly after his return home to East Boston from his military service, he joined the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America at the Quincy Ship Yard. Eventually, he found his way into the business world and the oil industry. His career started as an assistant office and credit manager for Glendale Coal and Oil Company in Charlestown. He then moved on to Union Oil in Revere, where he also seized an opportunity to attend Northeastern University in the evening achieving his goal of receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He continued then to be successful in this area of work, joining the Belcher Oil team, which then became part of the Coastal Oil Corp. Finally, he was given a great opportunity and he made the last career change and joined Global Oil, now Global Partners LP, where he enjoyed working right up to his retirement at the age of 75.

As Gerard adjusted back to civilian life, after completing his military service, he struck gold one weekend night while hanging out with friends on Revere Beach at a dance club. It was that night that he met a beautiful young woman, Lucille, who was the light and love of his life. They dated and their love grew and blossomed into proposal and engagement. It wasn’t long after that they gathered with family and friends on June 13, 1963 and got married in Saint Anthony’s Church in Everett, MA.

Gerard and his bride, Lucille ended up settling in Everett, as longtime residents and owners of their first and second homes. They proudly raised their three children there, and celebrated many happy occasions with family and friends and treasuring many memories, especially when they decided it was time to move and build their first new home in Lynn, MA and also to purchase a summer home in York Beach, ME. This brought them many new friends and happy memories.

So, we now gather to celebrate and give thanks to God, for the Gift of having Gerard. “Jerry” in our lives and the many memories with him to treasure. We praise God for giving us the opportunities to share in Jerry’s love, especially through his love and life, he shared, as a husband, with his beloved and late wife, Lucille A. (Porcaro) Foster.

May we praise God for Jerry’s devotion as a devoted father of Joseph R. Foster and Bob Heinle, who was another “special Foster son” of Jerry’s, both of Chelsea; his daughter, Donna M. Casaletto of Lynnfield, and Paul G. Foster and his wife Diana of Lynn. Papa’s Cherished Cherubs were Paul Foster, Jr., Nicole Casaletto and Richard Casaletto, Jr., Nicholas Foster and Olivia Foster.

We celebrate the new life that Jerry now shares with his sisters, the late Matilda Scaduto and the late Carol A. Singleton and all of Jerry’s deceased relatives and friends.

In a special way, we pray for Jerry’s cousins, Lorraine Ciano, Frances Sullivan and Joseph Palladino.and all of Jerry;s nieces, nephews and friends, especially his lovely friend and companion, Eleanor “Ellie” Albergheni of Saugus, who has been a great support for Jerry.

Family and Friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Thursday, June 4th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Vertuccio, Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere, MA.

The Funeral Procession will be conducted from the Funeral Home on Friday, June 5th at 12:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Grace Church. 59 Nichols St., Chelsea, MA at 1:00 pm. The Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, MA

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org),  the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or to the Our Lady of Grace Fund to feed the children of L’Asile, Haiti: Make check payable to Morning Star Parish with “Haiti Relief Fund” as the memo and mail to 59 Nichols St., Chelsea, MA 02150.