The only child of the late Gordon and Marion Foster. Survived by his wife Monica and four children; Sarah, Caitlin, Neil (Shizuka), and Tiffany. Grandchildren Arisa and Noah, along with many cousins in the UK; Elizabeth Fairfull, Mary Noble, John Foster and Christopher Burfield, Jane, Ian, Georgina, Lucy, Katie, Hannah, Joseph, Thomas and Angus. Predeceased by his favorite Aunt Dorothy Southgate and Aunt Eve. He was a brother-in-law to Jasoda Leila, Barbara Persaud, Cecil Persaud, Jasso Harnett (Maurice) Sandy Forsyth (Don), and the late Veronica Wong. He was a beloved uncle to many nephews and nieces. 
Colin boarded at St. Peter’s school at age eight in York until graduation. He graduated from St. Andrew’s University Scotland in 1968 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery then came to Canada and pursued a degree in oral surgery at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He completed his Master of Science in surgery and received his FRDC(C) Fellowship of The Royal College of Dentistry in 1973.
Colin had successful practices in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Kenora, Ontario before retiring to Victoria, BC in 2018. An active member of each community he lived in, he was a philanthropist to many causes, the proudest and most rewarding of which was the dental mission he attended with Dr. Bruce McFarlane in the Dominican Republic.
He was a Free Mason and served as worshipful master of Pequonga Lodge #414 in Kenora (2011) and regular attendee at Northern Light Princess Rupert (Fidelity), Lodge #1 in Winnipeg, MB.
Colin never wanted to write or think about his own obituary. True to his scathing and indelible British wit, he said a few years ago, he would want to tell his friends he simply “popped off.”
A celebration of Colin’s life will be held on Tuesday June 3rd from 11:30am – 2:30pm at the Fort Garry Hotel, 7th Fl. Concert Hall Room.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Foster” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Chery and Harry Green Monica and family
We are so sorry to hear of Colin’s passing. We have many fond memories of our MTC weekends together and good times at the lake. He was a special person and gentle soul
Hugs
Harry and Cheryl
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Dr Paul Shepherd Paul Shepherd
I first met Colin at St Olave’s School which is the prep school to St Peter’s School in York.
We were both 8 so he and I have been friends for 72 years. We started in the same form and tracked each other throughout the next ten years at both schools. In St Peter’s we were in the same house, study and dormitory for five years so came to know each other very well. We had different interests (I was an engineer) so did not overlap for much of the time but remained ‘easy companions’ throughout the ten years and ever since. Throughout every one of the ten years in school he was always the outstanding musician of his era, ‘predictably winning every prize possible every year’.
Whenever he came back to the UK he would let me know and we would meet if possible to catch up. The penultimate visit gave my wife and me the very pleasant opportunity to meet Monica.
Despite our very different careers and interest he was the second longest friend in my life and it is interesting that our friendship always picked up seamlessly no matter how long the interval since our last encounter.
I had hoped and expected to see him this summer and will miss him.
My wife and I send our deepest sympathies Monica, his children and many relatives.
Paul and Virginia
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Eric and M.J. Silver Dearest Monica,
Colin was a wonderful friend. I first met him over fifty years ago, and it became a friendship which bonded us over the years. When I completed my student pulpit, I’m congregation selected Colin to make the gift presentation, a desk set, which still sits on my desk, half a century later. Colin and I shared regular visits during the years I lived in Winnipeg, and when my calling took me elsewhere, we kept in touch regularly by phone. When he married you, I knew he had found just the right partner, and even I got to meet you, was charmed by your grace, and your caring. At a particularly low point in my life, Colin rushed to be at my side, and provided the assistance that only a true friend can. It was a joy to see you at the wedding of our son, Nathaniel, and I will always treasure my visit with you in Kenora and Victoria. You and Colin are dear friends who will always be in our hearts.
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Lou Goodwin Dear Monica,
Guy and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family upon the loss of Colin. What a gentle and interesting soul he was. He will be missed but remembered for all of his endearing qualities and the times we spent together!Hugs
Lou and Guy
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Glenn and Marion Our deepest condolences to you and your family Monica. What fond memories we have of our times with you and Colin over the years. Colin was such a kind and generous soul, he will be missed. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
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Mary Noble Mary Noble and family
Colin was the youngest cousin of the Foster family and from a very young age we spent a lot of time together. He used to come to Beecholme on his bike from Eastfield in North cave to play with his cousins Elizabeth, Mary and John. We played in the woods, built a den and played in the beck at Mires Beck. Our Mum, Eve thought the world of Colin.
When Colin went to Canada, Mary spent a lot of time looking after Marion and Gordon ,Colin’s parents and kept in touch constantly to keep Colin up to date with his parents health. To say thank you, Colin insisted Mary and Ken went to visit Colin and Monica in Winnipeg and Kanora. We had the most wonderful experience; Niagra Falls and the Lake at Kanora.
Colin was like another brother to Mary. He was a gentle soul. He was also highly thought of by Jane and Ian and Georgina and Lucy. When he came to the UK , all the family would want to see Colin, Katie, Hannah and Joseph and Chris, Tom and Angus.
We all send our heartfelt condolences to Monica and the children and we will miss him enormously.
Love from
Mary and all the UK family.
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Colin Foster Dear Colin,
To my doppelgänger in name and spirit. I will so miss you and our frequent exchanges. From our accidental introduction back ~15 years ago (might be longer) due to a mix up in emails, to just the other day, you and I had a very special friendship…a Bro-bond where we celebrated in email our children/families and shared our thoughts about the world. Two Canadians with common morals and perspectives and a joy of humour and music….remarkably too, both of us with daughters named Caitlin (and spelled the right way :-)) and you with a son named Neil and I with a twin brother named Neil. Your life was a life well-lived and I’m grateful for our time together. Monica, Caitlin, Neil, and Sarah, condolences to you and know that my heart and warm thoughts are with you during this difficult period. To all of you, my love, and also to you, Colin, my Bro, farewell.
Yours, “the other” Colin Foster
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Helen Degagne Dear Monica,
My deepest sympathies on Colin’s passing.
I first met Colin and you when you both worked at the Kenora Dental Clinic.
He was a good and kind person. Rest easy Colin.Helen Degagne
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Linda Price Dear Monica and family: Colin had such a wonderful quiet demeanor-we never did get to enjoy that glass of wine! His love of classic cars and great conversations will be missed. Having lived on our street a short time he fit right in with the neighborhood-always with a smile on his face. He will be missed.
Linda&Wally
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Dr R Bruce McFarlane Ahh: Colin- you were a most cherished colleague, mentor, and friend. From your amazing care taking out my wisdom teeth at Misericordia Hospital in 1977– to working with you in Kenora from 1992 onward- to your incredibly valued participation in our Dental Mission in 2012- to some crazy fun times at Black Sturgeon Lake. All of these are such great memories of your kind gentle demeanor, your vast knowledge and expertise- and your compassion for all of the lives you touched. With Love from all of the McFarlanes- our sincere condolences to all of the Fosters. Colin-your legacy will live on through all of the people lucky enough to have known you. Rest well, my dear friend.
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Jackie schwab (Dalton) I first met and worked with Colin at the Dental Clinic at the Health Science Centre when he came to Canada. We lost touch over the years but his sense of humour and laughter still resonates in my mind. Condolences to his family. I look forward to a celebration of life in Winnipeg.
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Dimitri Adamopoulos Colin Foster,
You will be missed good sir. Colin was a gentleman, who was kind, thoughtful, caring, intriguing, and family man. Colin loved his wife Monica, and loved all of his children very much. He was the ultimate host, and would entertain family, friends, & colleagues. He was a very hard worker,
dedicated to his practice & treated his team of staff like family. He wanted his circle of influence around him (family/friends/staff) to know he cared for them.Colin always enjoyed catching up with you, asking how you are doing & there were many fantastic conversations about everything under the sun. Colin was happy to tell a story, give advice, or even tell a good joke with a great delivery.
Colin was kindhearted, very friendly, extremely talented in many areas in his life, and someone that you would be pleased to gather with and catch up with. I close my eyes, I see that smile, I hear his voice, and can see him inviting me to join him at the table with a glass of very good wine. Colin Foster may your memory be eternal. Sending my love to the entire Foster family from the Adamopoulos family.
Sincerely,
Dimitri Adamopoulos
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David Elliott All who knew Colin were profoundly enriched by his worldliness, his encyclopedic knowledge of music, the arts, fine scotch and great wines…a connoisseur of feasts and friendships.
His sense of humour was his calling card and his love of family and friends his loadstar.
We have travelled the world with you, from Tahiti to the Danube, from Jamaica to the highlands, from Mexico to Cape Horn.
Indelible memories of you, Monica and the girls will live long and vivid in our hearts.
Loved and missed by your KENORA friends and family,
David and Joanne
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Elizabeth Montero Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you. It feels like just yesterday that I came to Kenora and met Colin. He was kind and welcoming from the very first day I met him almost 25 years ago. I remember sitting on the outdated 70’s style benches with pink upholstery within the walls of a periwinkle colored building. We had many “chats” about subjects ranging from patient treatment plans to travel, food, and of course wine. I will never forget the kindness he extended to me and my family or his skin which was like porcelain. I don’t think my skin looked that great when I was a kid!!! Colin was the closest most debonair English man we had the privilege to meet, we were blessed to know him and be a part of his life. He will be missed by many and was special to many. We will forever carry him in our hearts and remember the good times spent together. May you be rejoicing an eternal life in God’s kingdom and may your loving wife and children find peace and comfort remembering the special times spent with you. Rest in peace our dear friend.
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Neil Dad, I love you
Thank you for calling the office of Dr. Colin Foster, Oral Surgeon. The doctor is no longer available. May he rest in peace. Bonnie