John Michael Foster (13 Jan 1954 - 12 Mar 2019)

In loving memory of John Michael Foster who sadly passed away on 12th March 2019.

John was born in the bedroom of 178 Mansfield Road, Warsop on the 13th January 1954. The youngest of three brothers, John was an ambitious young man, he knew if you want anything in this life you have to work for it. Johns eldest brother Peter recalls him asking to borrow his tennis racket and fishing rod which he no longer used. He then sneakily decided to sell them and put the money with the rest of his savings to buy a bike with a motor on it because their parents wouldn’t allow them to have a proper motorbike. So, a young and slightly mischievous John manged to get the bike he wanted. Peter says John paid him back plus much more over the years so they could always look back and laugh. At a very young age he started working at Jock Jowels Farm before and after school. That’s where he found his love for tractors. A Massey Ferguson T20 was his favourite. This passion continued all through his life, John had many treasured models of this tractor.

His dream was to be a tractor mechanic but that was not meant to be. John did still keep his passion repairing and refurbishing vehicles. One in particular was a beautiful MG. Carly always remembers this coming out of the garage on a Tuesday night when John used to pick her up from dancing class. I used to think we have a cool dad.
After leaving school he wandered from job to job until at 19 he finally settled at Welbeck Colliery. By this time, he had already met and married his wife Karen. At British Coal he quickly climbed the ranks spending a lot of time at night school and doing various courses until he became surface superintendent at Rufford Colliery till it closed. John had really shown his family how committed and dedicated he was to make the best life he could for him and Karen. By this time John and Karen had two children Richard and Carly. They remember the fun times of their Dad taking them on the pit tip at Rufford in a Landrover. After the pit closures he forged a new career in civil engineering and later in waste management working at RJB Mining, Webfell and finally Tarmac where he retired.

During this time John, Karen, Richard and Carly went on many family holidays together abroad and between them have had many happy times. Playing cards was always an evening ritual while Karen was getting ready for the family to go out in an evening. John taught Richard and Carly how to play and master a game of 3s and 4s.
John was very logical in his approach to things. What sticks in Karen, Richard and Carly’s mind is a holiday to Crete when they were teenagers. There was a huge thunderstorm and it was raining very heavy. So, John went into a local shop, bought some bin bags and asked if he could borrow some scissors using his best sign language as he didn’t speak Greek. The next thing they had was homemade raincoats. Even now they remember how embarrassed they were… “Thanks Dad you scarred us for life”.

John and Karen had been married for 45 years, like all couples they had their ups and downs, but they loved each other very much. As the kids got older their passion for travel widened. They loved to experience different cultures and have visited some exceptional places. They went on many adventures together and have many happy memories of their time travelling the world. John enjoyed the odd practical joke with his family especially Karen. On a trip to Egypt they were visiting the Unfinished Obelisk. This is quite steep uneven ground so out of nowhere an Egyptian man grabs hold of Karen; his plan was to help her up and, in the process, John would pay him for his efforts. John let the very cheeky man take Karen so far jokingly laughing behind. As you can imagine Karen’s face was a picture. Eventually 10 Egyptian pounds later John had his wife back plus a clip round the ear from Karen.

Throughout Richard and Carly’s childhood they both have many special memories. The one that sticks in Richards mind is one Christmas morning he opened a Scalextric, wow thought Richard. However, this was soon taken over by John who not only built the Scalextric but took it to another level and kitted it out through the entire loft and they had hours of fun together.

John always liked pampering so when Carly was really young her Dad used to say you can have all the change in my pocket if you do my hair and file my nails. So, she got a jug with water and a comb and started brushing his hair spiking it and giving him lots of silly hairstyles and making sure his nails were nicely filed. They had so many laughs and John always used to trick her by having a few 2ps and 1ps in his pocket and she fell for it every time.

John was very practical, and he enjoyed DIY. Richard and Carly used to say their Dad could fix anything with his magic screwdrivers. Even as they got older, they would always look to their dad for guidance. If John couldn’t fix something, it couldn’t be fixed. Stephen, Johns brother recalls John was always everyone’s go to man. As a young man he was roped into many of Johns projects. They did everything from building extensions to digging pits to repairing cars.

John was a firm but fair man who didn’t suffer fools easily. He did have a big heart and would do anything for his family. John had so many talents academically and physically. If John didn’t know how to do something, he would do everything he could to find out and expand his knowledge. So, he was always the go to man if you wanted a good letter writing too. John was affectionally named the poor man’s solicitor from his father in law for his talent in letter writing. The family jokes that John is the Liam Neeson of letter writing. He definitely had a particular set of skills and didn’t need to use his fists.

John had many proud moments in his life from watching Richard and Carly getting married to the birth of his two beautiful grandsons Jake and Alex. John loved his grandsons very much and they as much as him loved spending time in his garage. Jake and Alex knew this was grandads special place and he used to tell them stories and teach them great things. John adored Jake and Alex very much and wants them to live a long and happy life while he watches from the stars above.

Even towards the end of his life John still showed the kind nature he had, and this was greatly admired by the family. When the doctor asked if he had any unfinished business he replied I need to fill in a form for one of the student nurses. This was to say how well she had looked after him. He really wanted her to do well in her career progression.
The morning after Johns passing the family saw a rainbow. They believed this was John saying he will always be with them. His grandson Jake explained it very appropriately. Grandad has moved on and its just his shell but part of him has gone in Tasha. John and Karen’s best pal and much-loved dog. The family believe the rest has gone up to the stars to be with his mum and dad and bring him peace.

John was loved very much by his family and will be greatly missed. He fought a long and courageous battle which was testament to the man he was.

A special heartful message from Karen to John.

In loving memory of a special Husband

Sometimes I just sit quietly
Reflecting for a while,
Imaging your voice, your face and warm and loving smile.

For its lovely to recall the happy times we had,
When you played such a special role as husband and dad.
At this time
I only wish you knew,
That I’d give all the world today
For one more hour with you.

But I still have my memories
And since we’ve been apart
You will always be sat on my shoulder
And have a place in my heart.