Martin Stephen Foster (Marty) of Hamden, NY passed away on April 17, 2026 at Albany Medical Center. Marty was born in Brooklyn, NY, son of Mary Ruddy and William Heegan. He was raised in Seymour, Connecticut by his mother and stepfather, Tracey Barr. Marty was a 1963 graduate of Seymour High School. A four-year Navy veteran, he served as Master Helmsman on the USS VULCAN and later served as Assistant Navigator on the USS DASH; he was an expert at celestial navigation and visual signaling (flashing light). His Navy service took him on cruises across the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. In 1967 he married Loretta Kilmer of Hamden, NY and they began a 59-year adventure living in Connecticut, Arizona, and New York, and vacationing at their camp in Maine. He worked for AVCO Lycoming (later Textron/Allied Signal/Honeywell Aerospace) for thirty-four years, supporting all models of Lycoming Gas Turbine (jet) engines during his career. He was a manager of the propulsion engine assembly department and retired as a customer support engineer. After retiring from Honeywell Aerospace in Phoenix, Arizona, Marty and Loretta returned to Loretta’s family farm and built their dream home. In retirement, Marty took a job as a bus driver for The ARC of Delaware County, a role he enjoyed for eleven years. In retirement, Marty also enjoyed raising beef cattle with his friend Bob Anschlowar and managing the historic Hamden schoolhouse with his wife.

Marty enjoyed many years coaching and supporting his children in various sports. He led many teams, including the Seymour Soccer Earthquakes, the Pee Wee Basketball Cardinals, and the George J. Hummel Little League Cubs as coach and manager. Marty also served as the President of the Seymour Fathers Club and Vice President of Seymour Pop Warner Football. He had many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and boating. Later in life, Marty took great pride in supporting his grandchildren in their sports, music, and academic achievements.

Marty is predeceased by his mother, father, stepfather, and stepbrother, David Barr. Marty is survived by his wife Loretta, his children: Jeffrey Foster (Diane) of Bronxville, NY, Lora Foster-Cave (Troy) of Franklin, NY and Brian Foster (Jessica) of Walton, NY, and his beloved grandchildren: Nora, Lila, Gideon, Eve, Trace, Raegan, and Martie Jean. Marty is also survived by his half-siblings Rose Marie, Jerry, Joe, Michael, and Richard Heegan, brothers-in-law Ryan (Beverly) Kilmer, Lynn Kilmer, Ken (Penny) Prestidge, and sister-in-law Sharon Nagel, all living locally, as well as sister-in-law Joanne (David) Forry of South Carolina and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to gather and pay their respects at calling hours,10am-12pm, service at 12pm at which will be held on Saturday, April 25th from at Courtney Funeral Home in Walton, NY. A private military service will follow at the Hamden Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Courtney Funeral Home located at 25 Townsend St, Walton, NY.