Obituary of Joseph Walker Foster

Joseph Walker Foster "Joe", age 84 passed away on December 1, 2011. Joseph was the son of the late Amanda and William Foster. Moving from Philadelphia as a young boy, he grew up in Franklinville. Joe attended Clayton High School and then enlisted in the US Navy in 1944. During World War II, Joe served in the Central Pacific, and in 1949 he joined the US Marine Corp and served during the Korean War until 1952. He received many medals and awards during his duties to his country. Joe joined the Pitman Police Department in 1962 and served as Chief of Police from 1972 until his retirement in 1988. The NJ State Assoc. of Police Chiefs, NJ Police and Fire Assoc, Gloucester County Chiefs of Police Assoc, Marine Corps Assoc, 1st Marine Div. Assoc, the Chosin Few, American Legion Elwood Kindle Post #49 and VFW Pitman Memorial Post #6469 were just a few of the many organizations in which Joe was a member. Joe also enjoyed spending time on his woodworking projects. Joe was a generous and humorous gentleman. Joe would go out of his way to help others and above all, he cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe was the husband of the late Janet C. Foster (Nee Stratton.) Loving father of Cindy J. Wood (Jeff), Joseph B. Foster, devoted grandfather of Matthew, Michael, Jeffrey and Scott Wood and Joseph F. and Gina-Marie Foster. Also surviving are his sisters in law Estella Foster and Helen Foster, loving friend, Virginia Reynolds, dear daughter in law Chrissy and many nieces, nephews and friends dear to his heart. Friends may greet the family on Monday 7-9pm and Tuesday 10-10:45am in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be Tuesday at 11am. Interment Gloucester County Veteran's Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Joe's memory to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, 1200 Delsea Dr, Clayton, NJ 08312 or the USMC Rose Scholarship Program. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.