John Joseph Foster

John Joseph Foster, born July 15, 1923, in Los Angeles, California, was a child of the Great Depression.

His father got work building the tunnels bringing water from the Colorado River to Southern California. They settled in Indio where John enjoyed playing with the Indian children.

The family would later move several times. Sometimes he lived in foster homes; at other times he attended a military school in Orange County. John went on to graduate from North Hollywood High School.

Two or three weeks after Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Navy and was on ships from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the South Pacific and Australia for the next five years.

After the service, he worked with his father in a plastering business in Washington State. He got tired of the wet and cold weather and moved back to Long Beach, CA. A friend suggested he go to a young people’s club (The Antonians) at St. Anthony’s Church. There he met Helen Pariseau, who was also there at the suggestion of a friend.

Six months later, on November 17, 1951, they were married. A year later, a daughter was born, followed by three boys. John tried a plastering business and working for others. At last he found his real calling, SALES! He worked as sales manager for La Habra Products for more than 50 years.

He traveled a lot during those years and with retirement turned to golf and travel!

With Helen, he visited Africa, China, India, Israel, South America, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Holland, etc. They both loved meeting new people and seeing many wonderful sights.

Golf was John’s second love. He played at many courses but his favorites were in Long Beach. His golf buddies were neighbors immediately around our house – GREAT FRIENDS!

As the years (95) went on, golf, symphonies, plays and other favorites gradually disappeared, but John’s sense of humor never left. His stories (many slightly exaggerated) will live on!

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401