Gerald 'Jerry' Foss

Gerald Foss, 76, of Middletown, RI, passed away Friday, July 22, 2011 with family at his side at Heatherwood Nursing Center, Newport, RI. Born in Brighton, MA on July 8, 1935, he was the son of the late William Buckingham and Jean Foss.Jerry, as he was known by family and friends, was a retired systems analyst after 30 years at IBM. A generous and caring man, he did everything to benefit his family. But he even opened his doors to many more people in his life, caring for others too. He served on the Board of Directors for Campfire Girls in NJ, volunteered as a Boy Scout leader in Maryland, and was an active member of the Middletown Baptist Church, helping with the Vacation Bible School. More than these accomplishments, he provided a foster home to many children, adopting several of them as his own children. Even in retirement, he continued to work, both as an Innkeeper at the Hammet House Inn and as a night manager at the Cumberland Farms on Broadway.He is survived by his wife of 57 years Betty Westgate Foss of Middletown, RI, his children Brenda Wasilewski and her husband Steve of Middletown, RI, Rhonda Weaver and her husband Robert of Landing, NJ, Brian Foss and his wife Melissa of Tiverton, RI, Richard Foss of Middletown, Angela Foss of Quantico, VA, Thomas Foss of Newport, RI, and Rachel Foss of Huntington, WV, and 23 grandchildren and one great grandson. He also leaves a brother Richard Buckingham and his wife Judy of Rochester, NH, a sister Arlon Edwards and her husband Clayton of San Diego, CA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by a son Dana Glenn Foss. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 27 from 12:00-2:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway, Newport with a funeral service to be at 2:00 pm in the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.