Joseph A. Foster

Joseph Arthur Foster was born in Peabody, Massachusetts on March 19th, 1944, son of John Henry and Ethel Mae. Joe (or Joey as he was known then) was the second of five siblings - sisters Carol and Kathy, and brothers Ken and David. He spent his childhood years in and around his grandpa’s corner store that his family also lived above, with trips to grandpa’s cabin in Maine in the summers. While working at a local grocery store, a recruiter for Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky pitched him on the idea of going to college. His dad gave him all he could give (a $50 bill), said “good luck”, and he hitched a ride with an ex-girlfriend to start a new chapter of his life in Kentucky.

Joe excelled in college, becoming involved in just about everything he could (most notably Student Council and Tennis), and occasionally hitchhiking back home to Boston to visit the family. At the beginning of Joe’s senior year, a young freshman named Pamela was smitten by this “big man on campus” and soon they started dating and fell in love.

They eventually married on September 23, 1968 and lived in Chicago. There, Joe attended Chicago Theological Seminary and the city kindled his desire to be a folk singer. A brief stint in Iowa taught him that he did not have desire to be a pastor. In 1971, Joe became a father when he and Pam had their first child - Brooke Ashley.

Joe worked many different jobs in Chicago, from driving Grey Line Sightseeing Buses, to selling hot dogs and beer at the Madhouse on Madison, to delivering packages to O’Hare at the request of a deli owner on the South Side (true, and no doubt VERY fishy story). Eventually, an old college friend, Howard Murphy, referred Joe for a position at the Van Buren County Health Department. He recalled thinking, “they’re gonna pay me $12,500 a year to do just one job?!” So, Joe, Pam, and Brooke all packed up and headed to South Haven, Michigan.

Joe settled in as a Substance Abuse Counselor and Coordinator. He and Pam purchased their first house in South Haven in 1975, and in 1980 gave birth to their second child, Morgan Todd. Joe’s brother David and his wife Mercia also moved to South Haven, and eventually his mom and dad, Ethel and John, moved there as well. John and Joe were able to buy a boat and do a lot of fishing together before John’s passing in 1980. Joe’s mom Ethel was able to spend lots of time with her family before she passed away 13 years later.

Joe eventually took on a new job at the Berrien County Health Department, where he was until his retirement. He helped to make a positive impact on countless people struggling with health and substance abuse issues. Throughout these years working in Berrien County, Joe could be seen playing guitar and singing around South Haven, teaching English through Lake Michigan College, playing and teaching tennis, taking numerous Florida road trips with the family, driving his moped around town, participating in Steelheaders events, or taking care of his boat at the River Bend Boat Club.

After his retirement, Joe was able to lean into one of his great loves - music. He played with so many friends, helped coordinate open mics and other events with Riversong, Silver Threads, and the Flywheelers, played at countless retirement homes, art galleries, and venues, and was a staple at the South Haven Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. It was during this time that he also became known as Papa Joe, with the birth of his two granddaughters, Avery Brooke and Margot Rowan, whom he cherished dearly until his final days.

He was incredibly eloquent, undeniably funny, emotionally honest and vulnerable, and kind and loving to all who knew him. He brought joy and community to everyone he encountered, and the music he played lives on in all who heard him. He will be terribly missed. He is survived by his wife Pam; daughter, Brooke and son-in-law David; son, Morgan and daughter-in-law Corinne; and granddaughters, Avery and Margot, as well as so many wonderful friends young and old that he made over the years.

“Tell ‘em Joe said ‘Hey!’”

A Memorial Open Mic will be held for Joe on Friday, September 26th from 5pm to 8pm at Harbor Light Brewery in South Haven. You don’t need to play music, you can tell stories, or just gather with all the wonderful people whose lives were touched by Joe’s life over the years and raise a toast in his honor. Pizza will be provided, but feel free to bring a side or a snack if you’d like!