Born June 12, 1944, in Kirkland, WA. Died October 12, 2021, Mount Vernon, WA.
Wayne’s parents, Arden and Jean Foster moved Wayne and his brother Bruce to Deer Harbor in 1959 where the family owned and ran the Deer Harbor Marina, Tavern, and Grocery Store. The family started their adventure during boating season and both boys were assigned dock duty. A fun summer for young teenagers and in the fall, Wayne settled easily into Orcas Island High School making lifelong friendships and enjoyed playing sports both basketball and football. After high school, Wayne went to Skagit Valley College and returned to Orcas to pursue his life career as the owner and operator of Orcas Island Freight Lines.
Wayne married his first wife Paula Knudson in 1965 and together they had three children Bonita, Arden and Shane Foster. As life changes, Wayne met his second wife Luanne Maxwell in 1979. They married in 1987. Luanne had two children of her own, Jason and Danielle Madeiros.
Wayne dedicated a huge part of his life to the American Legion Post #93, volunteering at many pancake breakfasts and steak dinners, he was a proud member of the S.A.L. arm of the Legion. He was also a member of the Color Guard marching in countless parades and offering the 21-gun salute. Always honoring veterans, he helped design and create the Vietnam Memorial that is displayed at the American Legion Orcas Island. As part of the Color Guard, Wayne would participate in all that he could to honor all branches of the military and attended graveside funerals and memorials.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, both wives Luanne and Paula, son Shane and grandson Nicholas. He is survived by brother Bruce Foster (Becky); step-brother Lance “Huck” McGrath (Elsa); children, Bonita Foster (Rob), Arden Foster, Jason Madeiros (Sherri) and Danielle Hamsaka (Martin); 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and another great-granddaughter due in March.
A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, 552 West Beach Road, Eastsound on Nov. 13 at noon. A memorial service will immediately follow at the American Legion Post #93, 793 Crescent Beach Drive, Eastsound.
