Dennis Richard "Denny" Foster, 82 years, of Monroe, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 26, 2024 surrounded by family.
Born February 12, 1942 in Monroe, Denny was the son of the late Gwendolyn Foster Hatcher.
Denny attended Monroe High School. He served his country honorably and proudly in the United States Navy. He enlisted in August of 1959 and attained the rank of E5, Machinist Mate 2nd Class. He served four years aboard the USS Intrepid with 3 to 6 month tours to the Mediterranean, and 1 tour to Cuba.
Following his discharge on January 1963. He continued to live in Norfolk, VA with his first wife, Norma Windels. They were blessed with a daughter, Denise Renae Foster. While there, Denny started his long career in telephone work starting with Western Electric.
After moving back to Monroe in 1970, he continued his long career in telecommunications with Michigan Bell, Continental Telephone Company, Rolm Corporation, IBM, and Siemens Communications. Over the years he attended many job related schools. He also received an Associates Degree in Applied Science from MCCC. After leaving the work force, in 2001, he started his own business, Denny's Telecommunications. His career in telephone work spanned over 60 years.
In 1976, he married Karen Schneider, to whom he was happily married for 47 years. They were blessed with two daughters, Stephanie Ann and Leslie Kay Foster.
Denny had a love of family, who looked upon him fondly as "Mr. Fix-It". He loved motorcycling, especially up north dirt biking with family and friends. He also had cherished memories on his Honda Goldwing of traveling to Alaska with his 79 year old uncle, Chuck Foster, his cousin, Bob foster and his brother Larry Kiefer. He and Chuck also traveled together to California, North Carolina, and to Idaho by way of New Mexico.
Denny was an avid wood worker. Many of his beautiful wood products were given to family and friends to cherish his memory. He also enjoyed playing ping pong on Wednesday nights with the WNVBG (Wednesday Night Vintage Bike Group) and on Thursday mornings at the Frenchtown Senior Center.
Denny is survived by his wife, Karen, three daughters, D. Renae Wilson, Stephanie A. (Tony) Cusumano, and Leslie K (Michael) Bodi, and six grandchildren, Benjamin Wilson, Cole Wilson, Foster Bodi, Hudson Bodi, Nora Cusumano, and Roman Cusumano.
Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Gwendolyn Hatcher, his grandfather and grandmother, Grover and Bessie Foster, who helped raise him, along with his aunt and uncle Chuck and Regena Foster.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 1-7 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161. After cremation, a private interment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .